Get ready for an epic ride! Forza Horizon 6, the upcoming installment in Microsoft’s beloved racing series, is officially confirmed to be set in Japan and is slated for release in 2026.
This exciting news dropped unexpectedly through an Instagram post from Microsoft, making waves just hours before the much-anticipated Xbox Tokyo Game Show broadcast.
The Instagram announcement featured a concise teaser for Forza Horizon 6, clearly stating both its breathtaking Japanese setting and its 2026 release year. The accompanying caption proudly declared, “The Horizon Festival is heading to Japan. Coming 2026. Wishlist now!” Furthermore, official logos within the post confirmed that the game will support Xbox Play Anywhere and, as expected, be available on Xbox Game Pass from day one.
The teaser, unfortunately, was only available through the original Instagram post and cannot be directly embedded here.
While this announcement seems to have surfaced a bit ahead of schedule, the core details aren’t entirely unexpected. Earlier, Microsoft’s head of gaming, Phil Spencer, had already hinted at a new Forza title arriving in 2026. Given the recent reports of significant restructuring within the Forza Motorsport team due to company layoffs, it became increasingly clear that this new entry would undoubtedly be a fresh iteration of Forza Horizon.
Long-time Forza enthusiasts have been dreaming of a Japan setting for some time, especially after a subtle hint appeared last month in a social media post from a car import company believed to be linked to the game’s development.
Stay tuned for more details as they emerge!
This report was brought to you by Tom Phillips, IGN’s News Editor.