Forza Horizon 6 launches on May 19, but if you want to be racing four days before that, there's a specific path to get there. Playground Games has set up early access the same way Forza titles have handled it for a while now: pay for the top-tier edition, get in early. The details on what that costs and what your options are as a Game Pass subscriber are worth knowing before you hand over your money.
Does Forza Horizon 6 have early access?
Yes. Eligible players can access the full game up to four days before the official May 19 release date. That means you could be behind the wheel as early as May 15, depending on your time zone and the exact unlock times.
This isn't a surprise for anyone who has followed the Forza franchise. Both Horizon and Motorsport entries have offered early access windows tied to premium purchases for several generations now, and Forza Horizon 6 follows that same pattern.
Is there Early Access for Forza Horizon 6?
How do you unlock Forza Horizon 6 early access?
Early access is locked behind the Premium Edition of Forza Horizon 6. The four-day head start is one of the main benefits bundled into that edition, and there is no other way to get it. Buying the Standard Edition or playing through an Xbox Game Pass subscription, including Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, does not include early access.
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Game Pass subscribers are not automatically eligible for early access. You need the Premium Edition specifically, either purchased outright or as an upgrade on top of your existing Game Pass access.
How much does the Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition cost?
Here's the full breakdown of your options based on the pricing:
The Premium Edition Upgrade at $59.99 is the smarter buy if you already have the game through Game Pass. You get the early access window and the rest of the Premium Edition benefits without paying full price twice.
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If you're already subscribed to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, the Standard Edition of Forza Horizon 6 is included at no extra cost. The $59.99 Upgrade then becomes your cheapest route to early access rather than buying the $119.99 Premium Edition from scratch.
What's the difference between the Standard and Premium editions?
Beyond early access, the Premium Edition typically bundles additional content on top of the base game. The source material confirms the four-day early access period as one of the main benefits of the Premium Edition, though the full list of included extras beyond that is not detailed in available information. Based on what's confirmed, the core early access advantage is the four-day window itself.
Is the early access worth the price?
Four days is a meaningful head start in an open-world racing game where the community will be mapping out the fastest routes, best car builds, and hidden content in real time. Getting in before the general population drops means you're exploring on your own terms rather than following a trail that's already been blazed.
That said, $119.99 is a significant outlay. The Game Pass Upgrade route at $59.99 makes the math considerably easier to stomach, especially since Game Pass Ultimate already costs a monthly fee. If you're a committed Forza fan who plays these games for hundreds of hours, the Premium Edition has historically justified itself through the bundled content alone, before you even factor in the early access window.
For more on what's coming to Forza Horizon 6 and the rest of the year's biggest releases, browse more guides at GAMES.GG.