Forza Horizon appears to have been mistakenly revealed ahead of schedule, thanks to a now-deleted social media post. Australian car import company Cult & Classic shared an image on Instagram that suggested Playground Games developers were in the country scanning Kei cars, i.e., compact vehicles that are a staple of Japanese roads. While the post was quickly taken down, it has spread some rumors that the next entry in the franchise could be set in Japan.
The timing of the leak has added weight to rumors. Forza Horizon 5 was recently made available for PlayStation 5, and Turn 10 Studios, the company behind Forza Motorsport, recently announced huge layoffs. With Playground Games taking over Microsoft's racing franchise, all attention has now shifted towards Horizon 6, which Phil Spencer has previously confirmed will be released in 2026.
Forza Horizon 6 Might Be Heading to Japan
If these rumors are true, the Japan setting will make a long-awaited fantasy come true for fans. Since its debut in 2012, the Horizon Festival has visited Colorado, Southern Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom, and, most recently, Mexico.
Japan has stayed at the top of wishlists for years due to its legendary street racing culture and mountainous touge routes that made films like The Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift iconic.
Another major hint is the scanning of Kei cars, as these are rarely seen outside of Japan, yet are essential for an authentic representation of the region.
Of course, none of these views are official and should be taken with caution. Still, given Microsoft's previous track record with Horizon titles and the community's long-standing requests, it wouldn't be shocking if this "accidental confirmation" was true.
Forza Horizon 6 is expected to launch in 2026, and if the league stands correct, players will finally be racing across streets and mountains of Japan.
Stay tuned to racinggames.gg: the best place for Forza Horizon coverage.