The next generation of Forza Horizon is just around the corner, as Forza Horizon 6 is set to release in May 2026. The game looks fantastic as always, and should be another worthy entry in one of the racing genre’s longest-running franchises. While players still have to wait a few more months to get their hands on Forza Horizon 6, hardcore fans might remember the recent sports game trend in which some fans can receive early access to the game.
Just like other new releases in 2026, such as MLB The Show 26 and WWE 2K26, there is set to be early access to Forza Horizon 6, giving dedicated players the chance to get a head start before the rest of the community. If you want to partake in early access or find out how much it’s going to cost to play the new Forza Horizon early, take a look at the guide below.
How Early Access Works In Forza Horizon 6
The early access period for Forza Horizon 6 begins on May 15, which gives players four days to play early, as the game launches worldwide on May 19.
When it comes to early access, there’s good news and bad news. The good news is that early access is available to all players across every platform, so there’s no form of gatekeeping in that sense. However, the bad news is that early access requires players to purchase the Premium Edition of Forza Horizon 6 or purchase the Premium Upgrade Bundle. There’s a key difference between the two purchases, so let us break them down for you.
The Premium Edition of the game costs $120, which is double what the Standard Edition costs. In addition to the four days of early access, though, you’re receiving a decent helping of extra content in Forza Horizon 6, which makes the price tag slightly less painful to swallow. Here’s all of the content that comes with the Premium Edition:
- Pre-tuned Ferrari J50 (pre-order bonus)
- Car Pass
- VIP Membership
- Welcome Pack
- Time Attack Car Pack
- Two Premium Expansions (post-launch)
- Italian Passion Car Pack (post-launch)
So, if you pre-order the Premium Edition for $120, you’re receiving an exclusive Ferrari J50, the Car Pass, VIP Membership, and some packs in addition to four days of early access starting on May 15. As always, it’s a personal decision when it comes to choosing whether or not the exorbitant price tag is worth everything you’re getting in return with that edition of the game.
Luckily, there is a cheaper way to get early access in Forza Horizon 6, and that comes through the Premium Upgrade Bundle. This bundle is only for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC subscribers, and it costs $60. This purchase upgrades your copy of the game to the Premium Edition, allowing you to receive early access and all of the benefits of that edition that we listed above.
Of course, on top of the $60 for the upgrade, you also have to factor in the monthly cost of Game Pass Ultimate or Game Pass PC. You could theoretically sign up for a month of Game Pass Ultimate, which costs $30 per month, buy the Premium Upgrade Bundle, and then stop your subscription after one month. This would only mean you pay $90 for the Premium Edition of Forza Horizon 6 compared to $120.
However, if you’re on PC, one month of Game Pass PC costs $16.50. If you just pay for one month of that subscription and buy the Premium Upgrade Bundle, your grand total is only $76.50 for the Premium Edition.
Unfortunately, the major flaw in both of these options is the fact that you would need to continue your Game Pass subscription to get access to Forza Horizon 6 beyond just the one month. So, the Game Pass and Premium Upgrade Bundle route really only makes sense for current subscribers or those who are only going to play Forza Horizon 6 for a month or two. If you plan on playing for more than a couple of months, it’s cheaper just to pay the base $120 for the Premium Edition up front.
And there you have it, those are your two routes to getting early access in Forza Horizon 6. We’re unsure exactly what time early access is launching on May 15, but you’ll need to spend some kind of extra money if you want a head start in Japan.
