The arrival of Forza Horizon 6 has created strong momentum among racing fans: even before the official wide release on May 19, 2026, many players purchased premium access to start playing early. Reports indicate that roughly 1.2 million users secured the Premium Edition, attracted by the promise of an earlier window, exclusive vehicles and post-launch content. This article breaks down what those purchases actually grant, how early access is scheduled across platforms, and the options for players who want to join the action sooner rather than later.
What the premium option includes and why players buy it
The Premium Edition combines the base game with an extensive content bundle: buyers receive immediate privileges like Early Access, VIP membership perks, exclusive car packs, and the planned expansions. For many hardcore racing fans, the package is about experiencing the new open world from day one and owning rare cars and bonuses that streamline progression. Retail promotions intensified interest: for example, Instant Gaming offered the Premium Edition at a discounted price of €79.99 (+VAT) instead of the list price of €119.99, a 33% reduction that represented a tangible saving of €40 and made the premium path more appealing to a wide audience.
How early access is gated and the exact unlock times
Early playtime for Forza Horizon 6 is not automatic for all buyers; it is limited to two specific groups. The first group is those who bought the full Premium Edition. The second includes players who purchased the Premium Upgrade on top of a Standard or Deluxe copy, or alongside a qualifying subscription. The early access window opened on May 15, 2026 for eligible users. Platform unlocks are staggered: on Xbox Series X|S and via the Xbox app on PC the game becomes available at 12:01 AM local time, while Steam follows a global anchor at 4:01 AM UTC. The standard launch for everyone else took place on May 19, 2026.
Why some Game Pass subscribers still needed to pay
Though Game Pass plays a role at launch, its inclusion varies by tier. The game arrived on day one for Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers at the standard release on May 19, 2026, including cloud access where applicable. However, lower-tier plans like Essential and the newer Starter do not include the title. Importantly, even Ultimate subscribers who wanted to join the May 15 early window had to buy the Premium Upgrade—the base subscription alone does not unlock the early period.
Contents of the Premium Upgrade and how it differs from buying the full edition
The Premium Upgrade is a purchasable add-on designed to layer on top of existing ownership or subscriptions. It grants the same extras as the full Premium Edition except for another copy of the base game. The bundle lists items such as Early Access from May 15, a VIP Membership, a Welcome Pack with five pre-tuned cars and a virtual house, the Time Attack Car Pack, the post-launch Italian Passion Car Pack, both planned expansions and a multi-week Car Pass. For players already on Game Pass or those who own a standard edition, the upgrade is the logical path to secure the premium content without repurchasing the core game.
Practical advice for buyers
If you value playing early and collecting exclusive vehicles, the Premium Edition remains the most straightforward choice because it bundles everything immediately. If you already own the title or subscribe to an eligible Game Pass tier, buying the Premium Upgrade achieves the same outcome at a lower incremental cost. Watch for regional storefront timings—remember that Xbox unlocks at 12:01 AM local time while Steam follows 4:01 AM UTC—and check your Game Pass tier before assuming you’ll get day-one access.
Looking ahead: platform availability and community reaction
Alongside the PC and Xbox Series X|S rollouts, a PlayStation 5 version was announced for release later in 2026 without a confirmed date, keeping the community’s timeline open. Early reviews and gameplay showcases have highlighted the technical polish and expansive map, reinforcing why a large number of players chose the premium path. Whether motivated by promotions like the Instant Gaming discount or by the attraction of early access and exclusive content, approximately 1.2 million premium purchases underline strong market demand at launch.
