Forza Horizon 6 is already shaping up to be one of the biggest racing game launches in years. With about a month still to go before release, the upcoming open-world racer has reportedly passed 500,000 pre-sales on Steam alone. Based on those early purchases, estimated gross revenue is hovering around $30 million, taking into account different editions and regional pricing.
The numbers come from Alinea Analytics, and they point to unusually strong momentum for a game that isn’t even out yet. In fact, the analysis suggests Forza Horizon 6 could potentially clear more than 2 million Steam sales in its first 24 hours after launch. And that projection is only looking at Steam activity—it doesn’t include purchases through the Microsoft Store or the extra demand the game is expected to generate via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
What makes this surge especially notable is that Forza Horizon 6 is already being described as the best-selling entry in the franchise history before its release date. That’s a hard signal that anticipation is running hot—and there’s still plenty of runway left for trailers, previews, and the usual launch-week marketing push to add even more fuel.
A big part of the excitement is the setting. Forza Horizon 6 heads to Japan, a location fans have been requesting for years—dating back to the Xbox 360 era. Speculation around a Japan-based Horizon game has circulated for a long time, with rumors picking up again as early as 2023. Now that it’s real, the community response has been loud, and that enthusiasm appears to be translating directly into pre-orders and wishlists.
There’s also a “new era” feeling around this entry. It’s reportedly the longest gap between mainline Horizon releases, and it’s the first title built exclusively for current-generation consoles. That gives Playground Games more room to push its tech, lean into a new map, and deliver a more ambitious version of the Horizon formula.
Another major draw is the focus on Japanese car culture. Forza Horizon 6 is leaning into JDM vibes with inclusions such as the 1997 Toyota Chaser, an R33 Nissan Skyline, the Nissan Gloria Gran Turismo, and the Mitsubishi Montero Exceed. Starter cars are said to include a 1989 Silvia K’s and a 1994 Celica GT-Four—along with a surprise pick: a 1970 GMC Jimmy.
Recent previews and hands-on impressions have also helped drive the spike in sales, with interest ramping up after key reveals. Pre-orders reportedly climbed after the map reveal, once the preview embargo lifted, and especially after the achievement list dropped on April 13. That date appears to have triggered a noticeable surge: around 22,000 copies sold on Steam in a single day, the biggest pre-sale day since pre-orders initially went live.
Forza Horizon 6 also taps into nostalgia by “returning to roots” with the OG wristband career mode. The idea is simple and appealing: start as a nobody and build your reputation from the ground up while racing through Japan’s open roads and events.
Steam interest is rising fast beyond purchases, too. Wishlists reportedly jumped by 90,000 on April 13, and now sit at roughly 3.3 million on Steam—another strong indicator that launch-day demand could be massive.
Forza Horizon 6 is scheduled to release on May 19, 2026 for PC and Xbox Series S|X, with a PS5 version planned for later in 2026.
