Forza Horizon 6 Early Access — Play From May 15
Forza Horizon 6 officially launches on May 19, 2026, but Premium Edition owners can play 4 days early starting May 15. Here's everything you need to know about early access.
Early Access Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Premium Edition Early Access | May 15, 2026 |
| Official Launch | May 19, 2026 |
| Early Access duration | 4 days |
How to Get Early Access
You need one of the following:
- Premium Edition ($99.99) — Full game + all premium content + early access
- Premium Add-Ons Bundle ($49.99) — Requires base game or Game Pass
- Premium Edition (physical) — Check with retailer for street date
Pre-ordering Standard or Deluxe Edition does not include early access.
What's Available During Early Access
During early access, you can play the full game — no content restrictions. Everything carries over to the official launch:
- ✅ Full campaign and story missions
- ✅ All map regions (unlock as you progress)
- ✅ All PR stunts, events, and activities
- ✅ Multiplayer and co-op
- ✅ Festival Playlist (first week starts May 15!)
- ✅ All cars and collectibles
- ✅ Achievements / Trophies
- ✅ Progress carries to May 19
The only limitation is that some post-launch content (Festival Playlist Series 1 week 2+, first patch) won't be available until after the full launch.
Is Early Access Worth It?
| You should buy Premium if... | You can wait if... |
|---|---|
| You want to be ahead of the crowd | You don't mind the May 19 launch |
| You want first-week Festival Playlist rewards | You're unsure about long-term play |
| You'll buy expansions anyway | You're on a budget |
| You're a content creator / streamer | You play mostly single-player |
Early Access Tips
Maximize your 4-day head start:
- Focus on Festival Playlist — The first week starts May 15. Completing it before the May 19 flood gives you exclusive cars without competition.
- Unlock fast travel — Prioritize bonus boards and player houses for fast travel.
- Build credit early — Complete races and sell duplicate cars before the market inflates post-launch.
- Explore the map — Find barn finds, treasure cars, and drift zones before guides flood the web.
FAQ
Q: Does early access progress transfer to the full game? A: Yes, 100%. Your save, achievements, cars, and progress carry over seamlessly.
Q: Can I play early with Game Pass? A: Only if you buy the Premium Add-Ons Bundle ($49.99) on top of your Game Pass subscription.
Q: Is early access available on all platforms? A: Yes. Early access works on Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam and Microsoft Store), and PlayStation 5.
Q: What time does early access unlock? A: Typically 12:01 AM local time on May 15 for digital pre-orders. Physical copies depend on retailer.
Q: Can I refund after playing early access? A: Steam: refund available within 2 weeks and under 2 hours play time. Xbox/PS5: check their digital refund policies — early access playtime counts toward the refund window.