If you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, you do not need to buy Forza Horizon 6. The game is included in both plans from day one — May 19, 2026 — at no extra cost.
That is genuinely good news for subscribers. Forza Horizon 6 is one of the bigger releases of 2026, and getting it without paying full price is exactly the kind of thing that makes a Game Pass subscription feel worth it.
Here is everything you need to know before launch day.
Which Game Pass Plans Include Forza Horizon 6?
Not every Game Pass tier gets it on day one, so this part matters.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate — Yes, included on May 19. You can play on Xbox Series X|S, PC via the Xbox app, or through Xbox Cloud Gaming.
PC Game Pass — Yes, included on May 19. PC only, no console access.
Xbox Game Pass Standard — No, not on day one. Standard plan subscribers will need to wait or buy the game separately.
If you are on the Standard plan and want to play at launch, you have two options: upgrade to Ultimate before May 19, or buy the game outright. The Standard Edition starts at its standard retail price.
How to Play 4 Days Early
The full game launches May 19, but Premium Edition players get in on May 15 — four days earlier.
There are two ways to get early access:
Buy the Premium Edition — This includes early access plus the Car Pass, two post-launch expansions, and a few bonus car packs. It costs more upfront but covers a lot of extra content.
Buy the Premium Upgrade — If you already have Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, you do not need to buy the full Premium Edition. The Premium Upgrade gives you early access and all the same bonus content, just without having to purchase the base game again since your subscription already covers it.
For most Game Pass subscribers, the Premium Upgrade is the smarter option if you want those four extra days.
Pre-ordering any edition also gets you a bonus Ferrari J50 in-game — Playground Games notes it is one of only 10 ever made in real life, built to celebrate Ferrari’s 50 years in Japan. It is a nice bonus if you are already planning to buy.
What About PS5 Players?
This is where things get a bit frustrating if you are on PlayStation.
Forza Horizon 6 is not on PS5 at launch. PlayStation players are getting the game later in 2026, but Microsoft has not confirmed an exact date yet. You can add it to your PlayStation Store wishlist to get notified when it goes live.
So for now, PS5-only players are sitting this one out at launch. The game will get there eventually, but “later this year” is not a release date.
What Is Forza Horizon 6 Actually Like?
For anyone who has not been following the coverage, here is the short version.
The game is set in Japan — the most requested location from fans for years. Playground Games built Tokyo City as the largest urban area in any Forza Horizon game, with Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Tower, and neon-lit downtown streets all featured. Beyond the city, the map includes mountain passes, coastal roads, and open countryside, each of which changes dramatically across the game’s four seasons.
There are over 550 real-world cars at launch, with a strong focus on JDM classics. The cover car is the 2025 Toyota GR GT Prototype, making its video game debut here.
New features include Touge Battles, Time Attack Circuits, customizable garages, and something called The Estate — a plot of land where you can build freely in the open world. Multiplayer gets an upgrade too, with CoLab letting up to 12 players build custom events together.
It is built exclusively for current-gen hardware, which Playground Games says gave them more room to work with than any previous entry.
The Bottom Line
If you have Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, Forza Horizon 6 costs you nothing extra on May 19. That is a straightforward win.
If you want to play on May 15 instead, the Premium Upgrade is worth looking at, especially if the Car Pass and expansions interest you.
PS5 players will need to wait. No date yet, but it is confirmed to be coming.
Forza Horizon 6 launches May 19, 2026 on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Early Access begins May 15 for Premium Edition players.
