Forza Horizon 6 Upgrade Path is Causing Some Controversy
Xbox has announced the price for Forza Horizon 6’s premium upgrade, and it will cost an extra $59.99. Fans got their first glimpse of gameplay for Forza Horizon 6 during Xbox’s Developer Direct on January 22, which also confirmed the game’s release date of May 19, 2026. Playground Games, the team behind the Forza series, confirmed the new entry will have more than 550 cars at launch, expanded accessibility options, and a new base-building element called “The Estate.”
The extended showcase took a deep dive into the game’s long-rumored setting, Japan, confirming Forza Horizon 6’s previously leaked location. Playground Games stated that this will be the series’ largest map to date and will include dynamic seasons, real-world locations, dense cityscapes, auto-drive mechanics, and plenty of new activities to keep players busy. These additions include a new feature called “Car Meets,” which allows players to meet up and share custom car designs.
Forza Horizon 6 Setting Is Now Official
Forza Horizon 6 is now official, with its TGS 2025 announcement confirming several recent rumors about Playground Games’ next title.
Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition Price Revealed
However, the premium version of the game comes at a significantly higher asking price. As listed on Xbox’s store, Forza Horizon 6’s premium upgrade will cost an additional $59.99 on top of the base cost of $69.99. That represents a $29.99 increase compared to Forza Horizon 5’s premium edition released in 2021 and Forza Horizon 4’s premium pricing in 2018.
The premium edition includes two future post-launch expansions, 30 additional cars, and the VIP and Welcome car packs, which offer car vouchers and rare clothing items. However, the most notable inclusion will be a four-day early access pass granted to Forza Horizon 6 premium buyers. This will allow access to the game on May 15, 2026. Unlike some premium versions, Forza Horizon 6 will not include a Game Pass subscription bundled into the product.
This news arrives at a time when Xbox could benefit from some positive public reception. While the Developer Direct outlined a clearer roadmap for Xbox’s 2026 lineup, the higher price point for Forza Horizon 6 premium edition risks dampening that momentum. Recent price increases across the console’s ecosystem, combined with ongoing concerns around Xbox hardware sales, have contributed to a more cautious outlook among some fans regarding the brand’s current direction.
Despite this, Playground Games is aiming to deliver a strong new entry supported by post-launch content for Xbox. Fans will still need to decide whether the $129.99 Premium edition offers enough value or if accessing the standard version of the game through the newly priced Game Pass Ultimate is the better option. Regardless, based on early reactions to the gameplay shown during Xbox’s Developer Direct, Playground Games appears well positioned to deliver a strong entry with the franchise’s sixth mainline installment.