An apparent slip by Microsoft may have revealed when players can expect the next entry in its long-running open-world racing series. An in-game banner spotted inside Forza Horizon 5 suggests that Forza Horizon 6 will begin early access on May 15, 2026, with a wider public launch following four days later. While Microsoft has not formally confirmed the date, the placement and specificity of the banner strongly point to an internal publishing schedule rather than speculation.
The banner, shared online by a user who encountered it during normal gameplay, promotes pre-orders for the upcoming title and outlines several of its core features. Among them is the game’s setting, which will shift the Horizon Festival to Japan for the first time in the franchise’s history. That move has been rumored for years and represents a notable change from the series’ recent locations, which have leaned toward expansive, rural landscapes with wide-open roads. Japan’s mix of dense cities, mountain passes, coastal highways, and countryside could offer a different rhythm to exploration and racing, depending on how the environment is ultimately designed.
The leaked text also claims the game will include more than 550 drivable cars at launch. That figure is lower than the starting roster of Forza Horizon 5, which eventually grew much larger through post-launch updates. Historically, Horizon games have treated their initial car list as a baseline rather than a final tally, adding vehicles regularly through themed series updates, expansions, and promotional events. If that pattern continues, the smaller launch lineup may be less a reduction and more a reflection of a longer-term content strategy.
Another detail hinted at by the banner is map size. The language suggests that Forza Horizon 6 will feature a larger open world than its predecessor, which was already positioned as the biggest map the series had produced at the time. A larger map does not automatically translate to a better experience, but it does indicate that Playground Games is continuing to prioritize scale alongside visual density and variety.
Premium Edition buyers appear set to receive a familiar package of bonuses, including early access, VIP-style perks, a car pass, themed car packs, and two major expansions scheduled for release after launch. This mirrors the structure used in previous installments and signals continuity in how Microsoft plans to monetize the game beyond its initial release.
Forza Horizon 6 is expected to arrive on PC and Xbox platforms first, with a PlayStation 5 version planned for a later date. It will also be available through Game Pass on day one, reinforcing Microsoft’s ongoing strategy of using first-party releases to strengthen its subscription ecosystem. A full reveal, including gameplay footage, is expected soon, which should clarify how much of this leaked information reflects the final product.
