Forza Horizon 6 is officially launching on May 19, 2026, and from what we’ve gleaned from the latest Xbox Developer Direct, deep-dive interviews, and new reveals, it’s clear Playground Games isn’t just following trends — they’re doubling down on what makes Horizon special.
Set in Japan for the first time, Horizon 6 delivers the largest map the series has ever seen, launches with 550 cars right out of the gate, introduces player-built spaces, deeper cultural inspiration, and even teases something massive and unexpected: Gundam.
From Tourist to Racer
Unlike previous entries where you start as a festival legend, Forza Horizon 6 puts you on the ground as a tourist with a dream. You arrive in Japan not as a superstar, but as a fan hoping to one day take part in the Horizon Festival. You’re also joined by Jordy, a motorsport obsessive, and Mei, a Japanese car builder who offers an insider’s cultural perspective.
You earn your way forward through starter cars, wristbands, races, and exploration, slowly unlocking faster cars, tougher events, and new regions.
Japan, Built for Driving
Horizon 6 doesn’t aim to recreate Japan road-for-road. Instead, Playground is focusing on capturing what Japan feels like when you’re behind the wheel. According to the devs, Tokyo is the most intricate and complex drivable city they’ve ever created — and it shows.
The map blends neon-lit Tokyo, packed with verticality, shortcuts, and dense streets, with iconic landmarks like Shibuya Crossing, Ginza, and Tokyo Tower. Drive through industrial docklands with cranes and cargo ships, suburban districts with narrow roads and overhead power lines, and mountain passes and alpine regions built for speed and flow.
The Biggest Horizon Map Ever (And It Works)
“Biggest map ever” usually sounds scary, but for a car-focused open world, it makes sense. Horizon 6’s scale is paired with distinct districts, seasonal changes, and high-density areas instead of empty sprawl. This is a world designed to keep you driving, not fast-traveling.
The Estate: Build Your Own Space
One of Horizon 6’s biggest additions is The Estate — a massive, buildable plot of land inspired by Japan’s real-world Akiya (abandoned rural properties). Here, you can place buildings and roads, create custom layouts or tracks, and invite friends to explore, or just tear everything down and rebuild freely.
Everything costs in-game credits, earned through races, exploration, side activities (yes, even tofu delivery), and you get refunded when you remove items.
The Collection Journal
Exploration now feeds directly into progression through a new Collection Journal, inspired by Japan’s stamp-collecting culture. Discover landmarks, murals, scenic views, and hidden locations to fill your Journal, advance Festival ranks, and customize entries with photos you take yourself.
Car Meets: Community Without Racing
Inspired by Daikoku car meets, Horizon 6 introduces permanent Car Meet locations — social spaces with no races, no timers, and no pressure. Roll in solo or with friends to inspect other players’ cars, download liveries, or buy replicas of builds you like.
Car Meets appear at the Horizon Festival, Okuibuki parking area, and Daikoku itself, capturing the relaxed, communal side of car culture.
550 Cars at Launch
Playground Games has confirmed 550 cars will be available at launch, the most ever for a new Horizon title. Here are some highlights from first batch of officially revealed cars, spanning JDM legends, hypercars, off-road machines, and time-attack monsters.
Japanese Icons
- 1985 Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT Apex
- 1992 Honda NSX-R
- 2010 Lexus LFA / LFA Forza Edition
- 1998 Toyota Supra RZ
- 2024 Nissan GT-R NISMO
- 2024 Nissan Z NISMO
- 1997 Nissan Skyline GT-R
- 1969 Toyota 2000GT
Modern Performance & Hypercars
- 2023 Aston Martin Valkyrie
- 2020 Koenigsegg Jesko
- 2021 Pagani Huayra R
- 2019 Ferrari 488 Pista
- 2018 Ferrari FXX-K Evo
- 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype
- 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser
Time Attack & Motorsport Builds
- Formula Drift Toyota Supra MkIV
- Forsberg Racing Nissan Z
- Multiple Honda, Nissan, Toyota WTAC builds
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Time Attack variants
Classics & Cult Cars
- 1988 BMW M3
- 1986 Lancia Delta S4
- 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS
- 1997 Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion
- 1971 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R
The Gundam Tease
The final moments of the Developer Direct showed a towering Gundam silhouette overlooking the landscape. Fans will just have to wait to see what’s coming — whether it’s an event, collaboration, landmark, or something entirely new.
Final Thoughts
Forza Horizon 6 feels like Playground Games at full confidence. With its scale, car list, and ambition, Horizon 6 isn’t just trying to be the best Horizon yet — it’s aiming to be the definitive open-world driving game. And honestly? It looks ready to deliver.
