Forza Horizon 6 launched on Xbox Series X|S and PC on May 19, and a PS5 release was publicly floated as coming later this year. Now, a new claim from a well-connected industry journalist contradicts that timeline, stating that Microsoft is planning to push the PS5 version into early 2027 instead.
The delay, if accurate, isn't framed as a technical problem or a platform dispute. The reasoning points to timing: Playground Games reportedly wants to line up the PS5 launch with the game's first expansion, giving Sony players a more complete package on day one rather than a base game that Xbox owners have already had for months.
Why the timing matters for PS5 players
Here's the thing: this isn't just a minor scheduling shuffle. PS5 players who were counting on a 2026 release are now looking at a wait that could stretch past the 12-month mark from the Xbox launch. That's a long time to avoid spoilers, car meta discussions, and Barn Find locations.
The predecessor, Forza Horizon 5, made the jump to PS5 and performed well on Sony's platform, which made the expectation of a similar turnaround for Forza Horizon 6 feel reasonable. Delaying that release by even a few months changes the calculus for players who have been holding off on buying an Xbox or gaming PC specifically to wait for a PS5 version.
The expansion angle is actually a smart move on paper. Launching alongside new content gives PS5 players a reason to jump in immediately rather than feeling like they're playing catch-up on a game the rest of the world has already finished. But it does mean waiting longer.
Tokyo Game Show is the next logical moment
Xbox has a confirmed presence at the Tokyo Game Show this month, which made it a natural venue for a PS5 release date announcement. If the delay claim is accurate, that announcement isn't coming at TGS. Or if it does, it'll be to confirm the 2027 window rather than a 2026 one.
What most players miss in situations like this is that the absence of an announcement is itself information. If Xbox shows up at Tokyo Game Show and says nothing about the PS5 version, that silence will speak pretty loudly.
Forza Horizon 6 takes the series to Japan for the first time, a setting that feels especially fitting for a Tokyo showcase. Check out the Forza Horizon 6 what to expect guide for a full breakdown of the Japan map, fog of war mechanic, Car Meets, and everything else the game brings to the table.
What this means right now
For Xbox and PC players, nothing changes. The game is out, it's been well-received, and the content roadmap continues. For PS5 players, the practical advice is to stop planning around a 2026 release date and start thinking about early 2027 as the realistic target.
The key here is that "early 2027" still leaves a wide window. That could mean January, or it could mean March. No specific month has been attached to the claim, so pinning down an exact date isn't possible yet.
For everything confirmed about the game so far, including edition pricing, exact launch times, and early access details, the Forza Horizon 6 release date and start times guide has all the specifics in one place.
