Forza Horizon 6 Cross-Play and Multiplayer: Xbox, PC, PS5 and Cloud Explained
Forza Horizon 6 launches on May 19, 2026 with full cross-play and cross-save between Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Steam, SteamOS handhelds and Xbox Cloud Gaming, and a PlayStation 5 version arriving later in 2026 that will join the same cross-play pool. This page covers exactly which platforms can play together, how online lobbies work, and what is required to race friends across ecosystems. As of today (May 14, 2026), the Premium Edition early-access servers are about to open, so this is the most up-to-date official picture.
Key Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Cross-play at launch | Xbox Series X|S + PC (Microsoft Store / Xbox app + Steam) + Xbox Cloud Gaming |
| Cross-play PS5 | Yes — added when PS5 version launches later in 2026 |
| First Forza with PS5 cross-play | Yes |
| Cross-save platforms | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC app, Steam, SteamOS / PC handhelds, PlayStation 5 (at PS5 launch) |
| Cross-progression | Full — account-based, syncs over internet |
| DLC cross-purchase | No — DLC must be purchased per platform, except Xbox Play Anywhere between Xbox console and Xbox PC app |
| PS5 online requirement | PlayStation Plus subscription required for online multiplayer |
| Xbox online requirement | No Xbox Game Pass Core / Live Gold required for FH6 multiplayer |
| Shared world player count (Horizon CoLab) | Up to 12 players |
| Named multiplayer modes | The Eliminator, Hide & Seek, Spec Racing Championships, Time Attack Circuits, Drag Meets, Horizon CoLab |
| Split-screen | (unconfirmed) |
Cross-Play at Launch: Xbox, PC and Cloud Together
On day one (May 19, 2026), Forza Horizon 6 supports full cross-play between every Xbox-ecosystem platform and Steam:
- Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox on PC (Microsoft Store / Xbox app)
- Steam and SteamOS / PC handhelds (Steam Deck, ROG Ally, Legion Go)
- Xbox Cloud Gaming
All of these players share the same matchmaking and the same open-world sessions. Insider Gaming, citing the official FAQ, summarises it as: “Forza Horizon 6 fully supports crossplay between players on Xbox Series X|S and PC, with PlayStation 5 joining the party later this year.”
There is no separate Steam-only or Xbox-only lobby pool — Convoys, Horizon Open, Horizon Tour, Eliminator and Hide & Seek all pull from one cross-platform pool. This is the same architecture Playground Games used in Forza Horizon 5, now extended to Steam (added in FH5 in 2024) and, later this year, to PS5.
PS5 Cross-Play: A First for the Forza Series
Forza Horizon 6 is the first Forza game ever to support cross-play with PlayStation 5. The Xbox/PC launch is on May 19, 2026; the PS5 version arrives “later this year” (officially second half of 2026), and Microsoft has confirmed PS5 players will join the same cross-play pool as Xbox and PC players from the moment that version ships.
Key caveats for PS5 players:
- The PS5 release date itself is not yet announced — only the “later in 2026” window from the January 22, 2026 Xbox Developer Direct.
- Online multiplayer on PS5 requires a PlayStation Plus subscription, as PlayStation states on its official FH6 product page: “Online console multiplayer requires a PlayStation Plus subscription, sold separately.”
- Cross-save is supported into and out of the PS5 build, so a save started on Xbox or Steam on May 19 will carry over to PS5 when the port launches.
- DLC (Car Packs, Expansions) must be re-purchased on PS5 — it is not included with an Xbox or Steam purchase. Xbox Play Anywhere does not extend to PlayStation.
Until the PS5 version is live, PS5 players cannot join Xbox/PC lobbies in any form, including via Xbox Cloud Gaming on PlayStation hardware (no official cloud client exists for PS5).
Cross-Save and Cross-Progression
Cross-save is account-based and runs over the internet. Sign in to the same Microsoft / Xbox account (linked to your PSN account on PS5 once that version ships) and the following carries over:
- Garage (all unlocked cars and liveries you created)
- Credits, Forzathon Points, Super Wheelspins
- Festival progression, Accolades and player level
- Tunes and Designs you have downloaded or created
What does not cross-save:
- DLC entitlements (must be repurchased per ecosystem, except inside Xbox Play Anywhere)
- Platform-specific achievements / trophies
- Steam Deck-specific cloud sync conflicts must be resolved on first launch
From the Forza Support FAQ summary echoed across coverage: cross-save is supported across “Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC app, PlayStation 5, and Steam.” Cross-progression is bidirectional and continuous, not a one-time transfer.
Multiplayer Modes Available Across All Platforms
Every multiplayer activity in Forza Horizon 6 is cross-platform. The official PlayStation Store listing for FH6 advertises the following modes, all of which match the Xbox Wire feature breakdown:
| Mode | Players | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon Open | Free-roam | Drop-in cross-platform open world racing |
| Horizon Tour | Co-op | Series of co-op races against AI |
| The Eliminator | 72 | Returning battle-royale mode |
| Hide & Seek | Up to 12 | Returning asymmetric mode |
| Spec Racing Championships | New | Equalised-spec online series |
| Time Attack Circuits | Async | Daily/weekly online time attack |
| Drag Meets | Up to 12 | New drag-strip multiplayer |
| Horizon CoLab | Up to 12 | Shared open-world building (“you and up to 11 other players can build together”) |
All modes use the same matchmaking pool regardless of platform. There is no skill-based platform separation and no opt-out toggle for PC players, matching FH5 behaviour.
Online Requirements by Platform
| Platform | Subscription needed for multiplayer | Game Pass Day One? |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X|S | None (FH6 multiplayer is free on Xbox, same as prior FH titles) | Yes (Game Pass Ultimate) |
| PC (Microsoft Store / Xbox app) | None | Yes (PC Game Pass) |
| PC (Steam / SteamOS) | None | No — purchase only |
| Xbox Cloud Gaming | Game Pass Ultimate | Yes |
| PlayStation 5 (later in 2026) | PlayStation Plus (Essential or higher) | No — purchase only |
An always-online connection is required for cross-play, cross-save, Horizon Open, Horizon Tour, Eliminator, Hide & Seek and CoLab. Solo career and Free Roam can be played offline on Xbox/PC, with progression syncing on next connection.
Note: whether FH6 offers local split-screen on console for couch co-op is (unconfirmed) — the official launch FAQ does not list split-screen as a feature, and prior Horizon titles have not supported it.
FH5 vs FH6: Cross-Play Comparison
| Feature | FH5 | FH6 |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox ↔ PC cross-play | Yes | Yes |
| Steam in cross-play pool | Yes (added 2024) | Yes (day one) |
| PS5 cross-play | No (no PS5 version) | Yes (when PS5 version ships later 2026) |
| Cross-save | Xbox + PC only | Xbox + PC + Steam + PS5 |
| Day-one PC Game Pass | Yes | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forza Horizon 6 cross-platform?
Yes. From launch on May 19, 2026, FH6 supports cross-play between Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Store and Steam), SteamOS handhelds and Xbox Cloud Gaming. PlayStation 5 joins the same cross-play pool when the PS5 version launches later in 2026.
Can Xbox and PS5 players play Forza Horizon 6 together?
Yes, but not on May 19. PS5 cross-play with Xbox and PC only goes live when the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 6 ships later in 2026 — a specific date has not been announced.
Is Forza Horizon 6 the first Forza on PlayStation?
Yes. Forza Horizon 6 is the first mainline Forza game released on a PlayStation console, and it is also the first Forza title to support PS5 cross-play with Xbox and PC.
Does Forza Horizon 6 have cross-save?
Yes. Cross-save works across Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC app, Steam (including SteamOS handhelds) and PlayStation 5 once the PS5 version arrives. Sign in with the same account and your garage, credits and progression follow you.
Do I need PlayStation Plus to play Forza Horizon 6 multiplayer on PS5?
Yes. PlayStation’s own FH6 store page states online multiplayer requires a PlayStation Plus subscription, sold separately. On Xbox and PC, no paid online subscription is required for FH6 multiplayer.
Will my Forza Horizon 6 DLC transfer to PS5?
No. DLC such as Car Packs and Expansions must be purchased separately on each ecosystem (Xbox/PC vs. PlayStation). Xbox Play Anywhere covers Xbox console and Xbox PC app only.
Can I play Forza Horizon 6 cross-play on Steam Deck?
Yes. Steam and SteamOS handhelds are part of the same cross-play pool as Xbox Series X|S and the Xbox PC app. Forza Horizon 6 is Steam Deck Verified.
Sources
- Insider Gaming — Does Forza Horizon 6 Have Crossplay? Cross-Platform Status, Explained
- ScreenRant — Forza Horizon 6: Cross-Play and Cross-Progression Explained
- Forza.net — Forza Horizon 6 FAQ
- PlayStation.com — Forza Horizon 6 - PS5 Games | PlayStation (US)
- GameSpot — When Is Forza Horizon 6 PS5 Release Date? Here Is What Microsoft Has Said
- Windows Central — Forza Horizon 6 is getting full cross-save across PC and console for the first time - even on PS5
- RacingGames — Forza Horizon 6 Crossplay and Cross-save: Everything We Know
- PlayStation.com — Forza Horizon 6 - PS5 Games | PlayStation (US) - features
- Xbox Wire — Coming to Xbox Game Pass: Forza Horizon 6, Mixtape, Subnautica 2, and More