If you have been watching the racing scene on Steam, you have likely seen Forza Horizon 6 climb past every previous entry in the series. Even in early access, limited to players who bought the $119.99 Premium Edition, it reached a peak of 181,775 concurrent players on May 17, 2026, more than doubling Forza Horizon 5’s all-time Steam high of 81,096. The full launch has yet to arrive, yet the numbers already set a new benchmark for the franchise.
You step into a new setting this time, as Playground Games takes the Horizon festival to Japan for the first time. Early reviews reflect strong reception, with a 91 Top Critic Average on OpenCritic, and players have been exploring its open roads since early access began on May 15.
Forza Horizon 6 Sets New Steam Concurrent Player Milestone During Early Access
You are watching Forza Horizon 6 rewrite the series record books before its full release. During the Premium Edition early access window, the game reached a peak of 178,009 concurrent players on Steam, according to SteamDB.
That figure gives it the highest simultaneous player count in Forza Horizon history on Valve’s platform.
For context, Forza Horizon 5 previously held the franchise record on Steam with 81,096 concurrent players. The new entry more than doubles that number, and it does so without relying on a staggered platform launch. Horizon 5 launched on Steam the same day as other platforms, so this surge reflects demand rather than timing advantages.
You can see the comparison below:
| Game | Peak Concurrent Players (Steam) |
|---|---|
| Forza Horizon 6 (Early Access) | 178,009 |
| Forza Horizon 5 | 81,096 |
Only Premium Edition buyers can access the game during this early period. The standard edition launches on May 19, 2026, which means a larger wave of players will join shortly after full release.
You should expect the concurrent record to rise again once base-game owners log in.
Beyond player numbers, the game has also secured strong critical momentum. It currently stands as one of only three 2026 titles with a 90+ average on OpenCritic, placing it alongside other high-scoring releases this year. That reception reinforces the early commercial performance you see on Steam.
Key details include:
- Release Date: May 19, 2026
- Developer: Playground Games
- Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
- ESRB Rating: Everyone (Mild Lyrics, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases)
Players already exploring the Japan-set open world have shared feedback with Playground Games. Most impressions trend positive, though some users have raised concerns about specific gameplay systems and technical elements.
You can expect post-launch updates to address early complaints, especially as the broader player base joins after the standard edition unlocks.
