Racing game reveals don’t get much bigger than this—Playground Games has officially confirmed Forza Horizon 6, and it’s heading straight to the streets of Japan in 2026. For fans of the Forza Horizon franchise, this news marks one of the most anticipated announcements in the racing game world.
Since its debut, the Forza Horizon series has delivered breathtaking open worlds, thrilling car rosters, and a racing festival vibe that feels like a mix of Glastonbury and Tokyo Auto Salon. After exploring Colorado, southern France, Australia, the UK, and Mexico, the Horizon Festival is finally landing in Japan—arguably the most requested and iconic location yet.
With promises of drifting down cherry blossom-flanked highways, tuning up legendary JDM cars, and exploring a map filled with both urban and countryside diversity, Forza Horizon 6 is shaping up to be the biggest leap forward in the series’ history.
Forza Horizon 6 – Key Details at a Glance
Here’s a quick breakdown of everything Playground Games has revealed so far:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Game Title | Forza Horizon 6 |
| Release Year | 2026 |
| Developer | Playground Games (with Turn 10 Studios support) |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Platforms (Launch) | Xbox Series X |
| Post-Launch Platform | PlayStation 5 |
| Game Pass Availability | Included with Game Pass Ultimate & PC Game Pass |
| Setting | Japan |
| Reveal Event | Xbox Tokyo Game Show Livestream |
| Gameplay Status | Teaser shown, no gameplay footage yet |
| Pre-Orders | Not yet open (Wishlist available on Xbox & Steam) |
| Pricing | To be announced |
| Cover Car | To be revealed later |
The Reveal: A Tokyo Game Show Surprise
The announcement came via the Xbox Tokyo Game Show livestream, where Playground Games unveiled a cinematic teaser that celebrated the Horizon Festival’s past global adventures before revealing its next highly requested location—Japan.
While the trailer didn’t show much gameplay (other than a stylish license plate close-up and cinematic landscapes), the symbolism was clear: Forza Horizon is heading east, and the vibes are set to be unlike anything we’ve seen before.
Fans have long speculated about Japan as a setting for the Horizon series. Its mix of urban cityscapes, iconic mountain roads (touge), and car culture makes it one of the most natural choices for a racing festival setting.
Why Japan? The Perfect Playground for Racing Fans
Playground Games has made it clear—Japan has been one of the most requested settings from the Forza community for years. With a deep automotive culture, legendary street racing history, and a strong connection to drifting and tuning, Japan embodies what Forza Horizon is all about.
- Drift Culture: Japan is the birthplace of drifting, thanks to legends like Keiichi Tsuchiya. Players can expect winding mountain roads perfect for sideways action.
- JDM Icons: Expect to see a spotlight on Japanese classics like the Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, and Subaru Impreza WRX.
- Scenic Diversity: From neon-lit Tokyo streets to peaceful countryside villages and cherry blossom highways, Japan offers the kind of variety Horizon maps are known for.
- Car Meets & Festivals: Japan’s car community thrives on gatherings and showcases. Horizon Festival is likely to take inspiration from events like Tokyo Auto Salon and Daikoku PA car meets.
The combination of heritage and modern automotive culture makes Japan a dream setting for the sixth installment.
Gameplay Expectations: What We Know (and Don’t Know Yet)
While Playground Games hasn’t released gameplay footage yet, we can make educated guesses based on past titles and community expectations.
What We Do Know:
- Open World in Japan: Expect a highly detailed recreation of Japanese landscapes, from urban cities to mountain passes.
- Next-Gen Only (at launch): FH6 will launch exclusively on Xbox Series X|S and PC, ensuring next-gen visuals and performance.
- Game Pass Integration: Available on launch day with Game Pass Ultimate & PC Game Pass.
- PS5 Release Post-Launch: A huge shift for the franchise, showing Microsoft’s willingness to expand the Forza audience.
What We Don’t Know Yet:
- Car Roster: Which cars will headline the game? The cover car is still under wraps.
- Map Size: How large and detailed will Japan be compared to Mexico (FH5)?
- Multiplayer Features: Will FH6 bring new online systems, car meets, or expanded co-op events?
- New Game Modes: Playground could surprise us with story-driven expansions or cultural festival activities.
Cross-Platform Expansion: A Franchise First
One of the biggest shocks wasn’t just the Japan setting—it was the confirmation that Forza Horizon 6 will release on PlayStation 5 post-launch.
This marks a massive shift in strategy for Microsoft and Playground Games. Historically, the Forza franchise has been Xbox-exclusive, serving as a flagship series for the platform. However, with FH5 launching on PS5 earlier this year, it was clear that the walls were coming down.
By bringing FH6 to PlayStation, Playground is ensuring the series reaches millions of new players while keeping Xbox Game Pass as the premiere way to play at launch.
Forza Horizon’s Evolution: From Colorado to Japan
Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane to see how far the Horizon Festival has come:
- Forza Horizon (2012) – Colorado, USA: The original Horizon Festival debut.
- Forza Horizon 2 (2014) – Southern France & Italy: Expansive European roads with vineyards and coastlines.
- Forza Horizon 3 (2016) – Australia: Open deserts, rainforests, and city life.
- Forza Horizon 4 (2018) – United Kingdom: Dynamic seasons transformed gameplay.
- Forza Horizon 5 (2021) – Mexico: Stunning biomes, cultural festivals, and record-breaking player engagement.
- Forza Horizon 6 (2026) – Japan: The most requested destination finally arrives.
Each installment has pushed boundaries, and Japan feels like the natural “ultimate dream location” for fans who’ve waited over a decade.
Community Excitement: What Fans Are Saying
The announcement has sent shockwaves through gaming communities worldwide. Here’s a snapshot of the hype:
- Drift Fans: Overjoyed at the chance to conquer famous mountain passes.
- Tuner Enthusiasts: Anticipating customization and car meets with iconic JDM legends.
- Casual Players: Looking forward to exploring scenic Japanese landscapes.
- PlayStation Owners: Excited that they’ll finally get a chance to join the Horizon Festival.
Forums, Twitter, and Reddit exploded with reactions, many calling this the “dream setting” for Horizon.
Official FAQ Recap
Playground Games has answered several burning questions already:
- Q: What is Forza Horizon 6?
A next-gen open world racing game launching in 2026. - Q: Where does it take place?
Japan, with a focus on landscapes and automotive heritage. - Q: Will it release on PS5?
Yes, post-launch, after Xbox and PC release. - Q: Is it on Game Pass?
Yes, day one with Game Pass Ultimate & PC Game Pass. - Q: When can I pre-order?
Later date; currently Wishlist available. - Q: Cover Car?
To be revealed later.
Looking Ahead: The Road to 2026
Though Forza Horizon 6 is still years away, the announcement has already cemented it as one of the most anticipated racing games of the decade.
With cutting-edge graphics, a highly requested setting, and an expanded audience across Xbox, PC, and PlayStation, Playground Games is positioning FH6 as the crown jewel of open world racing.
Until gameplay reveals arrive, fans can only speculate and dream about the streets of Tokyo, the cherry blossom highways, and the roar of JDM engines echoing through Japan’s legendary touge routes.
Final Thoughts
Forza Horizon 6 isn’t just another sequel—it’s the realization of a long-held community dream. Japan represents everything that makes Horizon special: culture, cars, and community.
If Playground delivers on its promise, FH6 could easily become the most iconic entry in the franchise yet.
Until then, all we can do is buckle up, Wishlist it on Steam or Xbox, and count down the days to 2026.
