Forza Horizon 6 just broke the franchise's all-time Steam player count record, and the standard edition isn't even out yet. On May 15, the game hit 172,093 concurrent players on Steam. That's more than double what any previous Forza Horizon game has managed on the platform.
FH6 Steam peak player chart
What makes this number so striking
Every single one of those 172,093 players paid extra to be there. The $70 standard edition doesn't unlock until May 19. Right now, the only way to play is through the $120 premium edition or a $60 upgrade add-on if you already have Game Pass. That record was set entirely by players willing to pay a premium for early access.
Forza Horizon 5 previously held the franchise record at 81,096 concurrent players on November 13, 2021, the first Saturday after its November 9 launch. That was the full public release with no paywall or early access restrictions. Forza Horizon 6 doubled that number before the majority of its potential audience can even download it.
Forza Horizon 4 peaked at 75,689 concurrent players when it arrived on Steam in March 2021, years after its original 2018 release. That launch had widespread technical problems, and the game was eventually pulled from Steam in 2024.
The bigger number is still coming
May 19 is when the standard $70 edition unlocks, and that's also when Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can play without spending anything extra. A lower barrier to entry combined with one of the largest PC gaming subscription services will almost certainly push the concurrent player count higher.
These numbers also don't include Xbox players, which adds a significant portion of the total player base that Steam charts don't track. PlayStation 5 access is still scheduled for later this year, which will bring another wave of players who've never had access to a Forza game on PC or Xbox.
FH6 premium edition upgrade
What this means for the franchise going forward
These numbers matter beyond the headline. Forza has always been an Xbox and PC exclusive, and the Steam performance shows real demand for the series on Valve's platform, even at premium pricing. When the full player base gets access on May 19, the peak concurrent figure will likely climb further.
If you're planning to jump in at launch, check the Forza Horizon 6 release date and start times guide to know exactly when the game unlocks in your region. Once you're in, the Forza Horizon 6 credits farming guide is worth reading early, because building up your garage takes resources and knowing the fastest methods saves time.
The racing games genre hasn't seen Steam numbers like this in years. With the PS5 launch still ahead and the full PC and Xbox audience about to get access, the record set on May 15 probably won't last long.
