One of the most anticipated racing games in recent years is almost upon us. Forza Horizon 6 is set to release on Xbox Series X|S and PC via the Microsoft Store and Steam on May 19, 2026. Players who purchase the Premium Edition will gain early access starting four days earlier on May 15, allowing them to dive into the action ahead of the general release. Set against the stunning backdrop of Japan and featuring over 550 real-world cars, this installment promises to be one of the largest Forza Horizon games to date. Enthusiasts are eager to see the innovative features the developers have prepared.
Forza Horizon 6 Launch Timings for All Regions
As previously announced, Premium Edition and Premium Upgrade owners will enjoy four days of early access beginning May 15. Below are the exact unlock times for early access:
- May 14:
- Pacific Time (PT): 9:01 PM
- Central Time (CST): 11:01 PM
- May 15:
- Eastern Time (ET): 12:01 AM
- British Summer Time (BST): 12:01 AM
- Australian Eastern Time (AEST): 12:01 AM
- Japan Standard Time (JST): 12:01 AM
On Steam, Early Access will unlock globally at 12:01 AM EDT on May 15.
For Standard and Deluxe Editions, as well as Game Pass members, the full launch follows the same regional structure:
- May 18:
- Pacific Time (PT): 9:01 PM
- Central Time (CST): 11:01 PM
- May 19:
- Eastern Time (ET): 12:01 AM
- British Summer Time (BST): 12:01 AM
- Australian Eastern Time (AEST): 12:01 AM
- Japan Standard Time (JST): 12:01 AM
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play the game on day one, May 19.
How to Pre-Load Forza Horizon 6
Xbox
Navigate to My Games and Apps on your Xbox console and locate Forza Horizon 6. Select the preload option to begin your download. Once the servers go live, the Play button will become active.
PC
Head to the Forza Horizon 6 store page on Steam. If you have pre-purchased the game, the preload option is available now. Click it to start the download. Alternatively, Game Pass subscribers can pre-load through the Xbox app on PC.
Xbox downloads are approximately 135 GB, while PC downloads exceed 160 GB. Ensure you have sufficient storage space for the game.
This covers everything you need to know about Forza Horizon 6's launch timings and pre-load details. Stay tuned for more updates.
