Forza Horizon 6 pre-orders and launch predictions for 2026

Danny Weber

Forza Horizon 6 has over 500,000 pre-orders on Steam, earning $30M. Set in Japan, it could sell 2M copies in 24 hours. Releases May 19, 2026.

Forza Horizon 6 is already showing impressive success even before its release, with over 500,000 pre-orders on Steam alone. According to analysts at Alinea Analytics, this has already brought developers approximately $30 million in revenue, factoring in different editions and regional pricing. With about a month still to go before launch, these figures are particularly significant for the industry.

Experts believe the sales launch could be record-breaking: forecasts suggest the game could surpass 2 million copies in the first 24 hours after release on Valve's platform. It's important to note that these numbers don't include sales through the Microsoft Store or potential user influx via Xbox Game Pass, indicating an even more substantial launch.

One reason for this excitement is the long-awaited change of location—the new installment is set in Japan. Series fans have been waiting for this move for years, and developers have emphasized JDM culture by adding classic Japanese cars and street racing atmosphere. Additional interest is fueled by gameplay demonstrations and the gradual reveal of project details.

Forza Horizon 6 also stands out as the first installment created exclusively for current-generation consoles, allowing Playground Games to fully leverage the engine's capabilities. The game is scheduled for release on May 19, 2026, for PC and Xbox Series, with a PlayStation 5 version expected later—potentially further expanding the project's audience.

© A. Krivonosov