Over 1.1 Million Drivers Are Already Blazing Through ‘Forza Horizon 6’
Just on early access alone.
Summary
- Forza Horizon 6 has reportedly surpassed 1.1 million early access players within 48 hours
- The player surge comes despite access being restricted to a $120 USD Premium Edition
- The game has broken Steam concurrent records and earned a 92 Metacritic score
Xbox’s premiere open-world driving series has proved its immense drawing power once again, as Forza Horizon 6 has reportedly surpassed one million players despite still being restricted to its high-tier premium release. While the game’s full international launch is scheduled for May 19, 2026, early access went live on May 15 for those willing to pay the premium price entry.
According to reports initially published by Day One, an early-game mandatory event leaderboard titled the “River Split Speed Trap” tracked an astonishing 1,191,886 unique players within just 48 hours of early access opening. This milestone is particularly stunning considering that the game is currently locked behind a hefty $120 USD standalone Premium Edition, though Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers have the alternative option to purchase a discounted, near-$70 USD premium upgrade to hit the virtual roads early.
This immediate player surge builds upon the franchise’s historical legacy as a massive commercial anchor for Xbox Game Studios and developer Playground Games. Leaving the Mexican vistas of its predecessor behind, Forza Horizon 6 transports the festival to a highly anticipated, virtual recreation of Japan — a setting choice that has generated unparalleled hype among the gaming community.
Bolstered by stellar critical reviews that have earned it a Metacritic score of 92 and dethroned competitors to become 2026’s best-rated game of the year. The game has already shattered records on PC, eclipsing Forza Horizon 5’s historical metrics by immediately hitting over 130,000 concurrent Steam users on day one, before rapidly climbing to a peak of over 178,000 concurrent players. These numbers are expected to swell dramatically as the standard edition opens to millions of base Game Pass and retail players worldwide.
