Forza Horizon 6 Release Date: Exact Unlock Times for PC, Xbox, PS5 and Game Pass
Forza Horizon 6 launches worldwide on May 19, 2026, with Premium Edition Early Access opening four days earlier on May 15. As of today (May 14, 2026), that early access window is just hours away. This page covers the confirmed unlock times for Steam, Microsoft Store, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass, along with everything currently known about the PS5 release.
Key Facts
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| PC (Steam) release date | 2026-05-19 |
| PC (Microsoft Store) release date | 2026-05-19 |
| Xbox Series X|S release date | 2026-05-19 |
| Game Pass release date | 2026-05-19 |
| Premium Edition early access date | 2026-05-15 |
| Early access duration | 4 days |
| PS5 release date | (unconfirmed) |
| Steam global unlock time | 12:01 AM EDT (04:01 UTC) |
| Xbox unlock pattern | Midnight local time per region |
| Game Pass tier required | Game Pass Ultimate (console) or PC Game Pass |
| Reveal event | Xbox Developer_Direct / Tokyo Game Show 2025 |
| Xbox One support | Cloud Gaming only |
Forza Horizon 6 Release Date Confirmed: May 19, 2026
Playground Games and Xbox officially confirmed May 19, 2026 as the Forza Horizon 6 release date on Xbox Series X|S, PC via both the Microsoft Store and Steam, and as a day-one Game Pass title. The announcement went live on the official Forza.net news blog and Xbox Wire simultaneously, with the Xbox store page updated to show “Available May 19, 2026.” Pre-orders opened across all storefronts immediately following the reveal.
Here is a quick summary of the launch structure:
- Standard launch: May 19, 2026
- Premium Edition Early Access: May 15, 2026 (4 days early)
- Platforms at launch: Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Store, Steam)
- Game Pass: Day one on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass
- PS5: “Later this year” — no exact date confirmed
- Xbox One: No native version; playable via Xbox Cloud Gaming only
The game does not support Xbox One natively. Players on last-gen hardware can still access it through Xbox Cloud Gaming with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, but there is no standalone Xbox One build.
Global Unlock Times by Timezone
Xbox consoles and the Microsoft Store unlock at midnight local time in each region — meaning players in Australia and Japan gain access before players in Europe or the Americas. Steam, by contrast, uses a single global unlock at 12:01 AM EDT (04:01 UTC), so everyone on Steam goes live at the same moment regardless of location.
The table below converts both the standard May 19 launch and the May 15 Premium Early Access unlock into major timezones.
| Timezone | Standard Launch (May 19) | Premium Early Access (May 15) |
|---|---|---|
| PT (Los Angeles) | May 18, 9:01 PM | May 14, 9:01 PM |
| ET (New York) | May 19, 12:01 AM | May 15, 12:01 AM |
| UTC | May 19, 04:01 | May 15, 04:01 |
| BST (London) | May 19, 5:01 AM | May 15, 5:01 AM |
| CET / CEST (Berlin, Paris) | May 19, 6:01 AM | May 15, 6:01 AM |
| JST (Tokyo) | May 19, 1:01 PM | May 15, 1:01 PM |
| AEDT (Sydney) | May 19, 3:01 PM | May 15, 3:01 PM |
Note that Xbox console and Microsoft Store players in timezones east of UTC will unlock the game before the Steam global release triggers. If you want to play at the absolute earliest moment for your region, the Xbox/MS Store route is the better choice for players in Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
Premium Edition Early Access: 4 Days Early on May 15
Players who pre-order the Premium Edition get into Forza Horizon 6 four full days before the general public, with access opening on May 15, 2026. The same early access benefit is also available to Standard or Deluxe Edition owners who purchase the Premium Add-Ons Bundle upgrade — you do not need to buy the full Premium Edition outright if you already own a lower tier.
Forza.net states directly: “Early Access for Premium Edition players starting four days earlier on May 15.” The Xbox store listing confirms this as “Play 4 days early starting May 15.” The unlock pattern is identical to the standard launch: midnight local time on Xbox and the Microsoft Store, and a simultaneous global unlock on Steam.
One important caveat: Game Pass subscribers do not receive early access. If you plan to play via Game Pass and want the May 15 head start, you will need to purchase the Premium Edition or Premium Add-Ons Bundle separately. See our Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition vs Standard breakdown and Forza Horizon 6 pre-order bonuses guide for the full details on what each tier includes.
Game Pass Availability
Forza Horizon 6 arrives on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass on day one — May 19, 2026 — at no additional cost beyond the subscription. Forza.net’s official announcement confirms: “With Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, you can enjoy Forza Horizon 6 on Xbox Series X|S consoles (Ultimate only), PC through the Xbox app, or Xbox Cloud Gaming as part of your membership at no additional cost from May 19.”
Tier eligibility at a glance:
- Game Pass Ultimate — Included (console, PC, and cloud streaming)
- PC Game Pass — Included (PC only)
- Game Pass Essential / Premium / Starter — Not included at launch
Subscribers receive the Standard Edition of the game. The four-day early access window and any Premium Edition content are not part of the Game Pass entitlement. To unlock those, subscribers must separately purchase the Premium Edition upgrade or the Premium Add-Ons Bundle. For the full tier comparison, see our Forza Horizon 6 Game Pass guide.
PS5 Release: Confirmed but Date TBA
Forza Horizon 6 marks a historic first for the series: it is the first mainline Forza Horizon title coming to PlayStation 5. However, it will not be launching alongside the Xbox and PC version on May 19. The official Forza.net announcement reads: “Forza Horizon 6 is coming to PS5 later this year, and you can now add the game to your Wishlist on the PlayStation Store to be notified of availability.”
As of May 14, 2026, no exact PS5 release date, regional pricing, or feature parity details have been announced. The PlayStation Store currently lists the title as wishlist-eligible only, with no date attached (unconfirmed). We will update this page — and our dedicated Forza Horizon 6 PS5 release tracker — the moment Microsoft or Playground Games confirms an official date via PlayStation Blog or Xbox Wire.
Pre-load and Download Size
Pre-load is now live on both Steam and Xbox ahead of the May 15 early access unlock. The reported download size is approximately 150 GB on both Xbox Series X|S and PC. Pure Xbox notes: “Download Size: Nearly 150GB on both platforms.”
Given the file size, it is worth starting your pre-load at least 24 hours before your intended unlock time — and ideally earlier if your connection is slower. Steam users should be aware that pre-loading is only available up until the global unlock moment; attempting to download at launch on Steam can result in significantly slower speeds due to server load. Xbox and Microsoft Store users are unaffected by this since their pre-loads run independently. For PC hardware requirements, see our Forza Horizon 6 PC system requirements guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Forza Horizon 6 release?
Xbox Series X|S and the Microsoft Store unlock at midnight local time on May 19, 2026. Steam unlocks globally at 12:01 AM EDT (04:01 UTC) on May 19.
When does Forza Horizon 6 early access start?
Premium Edition Early Access begins on May 15, 2026, exactly four days before the standard release. The unlock pattern — local midnight on Xbox and the Microsoft Store, simultaneous global unlock on Steam — is identical to the standard launch.
Is Forza Horizon 6 on Game Pass?
Yes. Forza Horizon 6 is included day one with Game Pass Ultimate (console, PC, and cloud) and PC Game Pass on May 19, 2026. Lower tiers (Essential, Premium, Starter) do not include it at launch.
When does Forza Horizon 6 come out on PS5?
Microsoft has confirmed Forza Horizon 6 is coming to PS5 “later this year,” but no exact PS5 release date has been announced as of May 14, 2026.
Can I play Forza Horizon 6 on Xbox One?
Not natively. Xbox One users can stream Forza Horizon 6 via Xbox Cloud Gaming with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, but there is no native Xbox One version of the game.
How big is the Forza Horizon 6 download?
Approximately 150 GB on both Xbox Series X|S and PC. Pre-load is available now on both Steam and Xbox ahead of the May 15 early access unlock.
Sources
- Forza.net — Forza Horizon 6 Releases May 19 on Xbox Series X|S and PC
- Steam — Pre-purchase Forza Horizon 6 on Steam
- Pure Xbox — Forza Horizon 6 Release Date, Release Times & Everything You Need To Know On Xbox & PC
- Xbox.com — Forza Horizon 6 – Available May 19th on Xbox and with Game Pass
- Game Rant — Here is exactly how to play Forza Horizon 6 early and when it unlocks in your time zone
- GameSpot — Forza Horizon 6 Unlock Times And Pre-Load: Global Launch And Release Time Explained, Plus File Sizes
- Forza Forums — Forza Horizon 6 will be released on May 19, 2026. Early Access starts May 15th