Microsoft Leak: Forza Horizon 6 Release Date Set for May 19?
Report: In-Game Pop-Up Leaks Forza Horizon 6 Release Date
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| The official Forza Horizon 6 trailer showcases the breathtaking landscapes of Japan. Image: Forza |
Is the wait finally over? A massive leak is surfacing in the tech and gaming world, sparking major excitement among racing fans. The famous open-world racer, Forza Horizon 5, seems set to introduce its successor, Forza Horizon 6, with a potential release date leaked directly through an in-game screen, pointing towards a May 19, 2026 launch.
Today, Microsoft may have potentially slipped up, revealing the release date of their most awaited racing game, Forza Horizon 6. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), the handle XBOX INFINITE shared a poster captured from an FH5 menu screen, showing a release date set for May 19.
The interesting and most important detail, which automatically verifies the claim for many fans—is that this “Pre-order” splash screen didn't appear on a third-party platform or via random leakers. It appeared directly inside its predecessor, Forza Horizon 5. Although we did not see this on our own Forza Horizon 5 dashboard, several users around the world have reported this identical pop-up.
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| A leaked menu screen reveals a May 19, 2026 release date, Japan setting, and pre-order bonuses like the Ferrari J50. Image: XBOX INFINITE / X |
The leak reportedly originated from a user browsing the garage menu in Forza Horizon 5. The leaked image clearly suggests the exact timeline of the release date, the long-rumored Japan location, and even features exclusive to pre-orders. The image indicates that Forza Horizon 6 Early Access will start just 4 days before launch, granting players access to an exclusive Ferrari J50.
Key Details from the Leak:
- Release Date: May 19, 2026.
- Early Access: May 15, 2026 (4 Days Early for Premium Edition).
- Setting: Japan (Tokyo urban density and Mt. Fuji visible).
- Car Count: 550+ Real-world cars at launch.
- Pre-Order Bonus: Exclusive Ferrari J50.
The feedback from users is finally being fulfilled by the Microsoft Forza team. Since Forza Horizon 3, the number one requested location has been none other than Japan. The leaked poster shows a clear and entirely aesthetic vibe from the region. We can clearly see urban density reminiscent of Tokyo and the silhouette of Mount Fuji in the background. The leaked image features cherry blossoms (Sakura), suggesting the game might feature a dynamic season system that specifically highlights a stunning Spring season.
As someone who has tracked Forza cycles since the Xbox 360 era, a Spring release is highly unusual. Historically, Forza Horizon titles dominate the Holiday (October/November) window.
Forza Horizon Release History:
- Forza Horizon 5: November 9, 2021
- Forza Horizon 4: October 2, 2018
- Forza Horizon 3: September 27, 2016
If this leak holds true, this is the biggest change by Microsoft for its Horizon launch schedule. The reason for the change of launch window is not confirmed, but our guess points towards the launch of GTA VI (Grand Theft Auto 6), which is rumored to be targeting a Holiday 2026 release. Technically, Microsoft is securing the summer window for its major Xbox games to avoid that clash.
What to Expect on January 22
Microsoft’s Xbox Developer_Direct is scheduled for next week (Thursday, Jan 22). If this leak is accurate, we expect the show to follow this timeline:
- Official Trailer Drop: Confirming the May 19 release date.
- Gameplay Deep Dive: Showcasing new drifting mechanics suited for Japan's Touge mountain passes.
- Pre-Orders Going Live: Immediately after the show.
- Game Pass Confirmation: Day One access is guaranteed.
As Microsoft is adopting a tight-lipped strategy and refusing to comment on these leaks and rumors, we will await official confirmation from the company. However, in-game server pushes are rarely "accidental" without real data behind them. The "May 19" date is specific, the assets look official, and the timing aligns perfectly with a pre-show slip-up. So, hurry up and get ready to secure your spot.
Will you be pre-ordering the Premium Edition for that May 15th early access? Let us know in the comments below!
