Forza Horizon 6 is finally almost here, and many racing fans want to jump into the streets of Japan before the official launch date. Playground Games is once again offering an early access period for players who buy specific editions of the game. If you are planning to start racing before everyone else, there are a few important details you should know first.
The latest Horizon entry launches globally on May 19, 2026, but early access players can begin driving four days earlier. That means some players will enter the festival starting May 15. The process is simple, but many people are still confused about which version they need, how launch times work, and whether Game Pass users can join early.
Buy The Premium Edition
The easiest way to play Forza Horizon 6 early is by purchasing the Premium Edition. This version includes full early access beginning on May 15, alongside extra content such as VIP Membership, bonus cars, future expansions, and the Car Pass.
Players who already subscribe to Xbox Game Pass do not necessarily need to buy the full Premium Edition. Instead, they can purchase the Premium Upgrade pack. Since the standard version of the game is included with Game Pass, the upgrade unlocks early access and all premium bonuses without forcing players to purchase the base game again.
This option is especially useful for players who want the cheapest path into early access while still receiving the additional content included with the higher tier package.
Understand The Release Timing
One important thing to remember is that release times are slightly different depending on the platform you use. On Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and the Xbox PC app, the game unlocks at 12:01 AM local time on May 15. That means players in earlier time zones can technically begin before others around the world.
Steam users will experience a global launch timing instead. The Steam version unlocks simultaneously worldwide rather than based on local midnight access. Because of this, some PC players may have to wait slightly longer compared to Xbox users in certain regions.
Checking your local release timing before launch day is important because many players mistakenly assume the game unlocks at the same moment everywhere.
Preload Before Launch
Preloading is another important step if you want immediate access when servers go live. Forza Horizon 6 is a massive game with high quality visuals, detailed environments, and hundreds of vehicles. The download size is extremely large, meaning slower internet connections could take many hours to finish installation.
By preloading the game early, you can avoid spending launch night staring at a progress bar instead of racing through mountain roads and crowded city streets.
To preload the game, simply preorder the correct edition digitally through the Microsoft Store, Xbox app, or Steam. Once preloading becomes available, the download option will appear automatically in your library.
Physical copies usually do not provide preload access, so digital purchasing remains the better option for players focused on entering early.
Avoid Risky Leaks And Pirated Builds
Recently, leaked copies of Forza Horizon 6 began appearing online before release. While this may sound tempting to impatient players, downloading unofficial builds carries serious risks. Playground Games has already warned players that accounts caught using leaked versions may receive permanent bans across the entire Forza franchise.
Some reports even mention hardware bans, which could block affected systems from future online access. Beyond the punishment risk, unofficial builds are often unstable, incomplete, or filled with security threats.
Waiting for the official early access release is the safest and smartest option.
Is Early Access Worth It?
For dedicated racing fans, the answer is probably yes. Four extra days gives players time to unlock cars, learn the new map, complete events, and build credits before the full player base arrives. It also lets fans experience the excitement of launch week without huge server crowds.
However, casual players may prefer saving money and simply waiting for the standard release on May 19. Either way, Forza Horizon 6 is shaping up to become one of the biggest racing games of the year.
