Forza Horizon 6 PS5 may no longer launch on PlayStation 5 in 2026, with multiple reports suggesting Microsoft has quietly pushed the PS5 version into 2027 while the hugely successful open-world racer remains available on Xbox and PC.
Something appears to have changed with Microsoft’s plans for the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 6 PS5.
Playground Games previously confirmed that Forza Horizon 6 PS5 would arrive on Sony’s console sometime in 2026, but months of silence surrounding the port have now been followed by reports that it won’t make that release window.
The game doesn’t appear to have been canceled for PS5. Instead, Microsoft may simply be giving the Xbox version a longer period of console exclusivity before bringing Forza Horizon 6 PS5 to PlayStation.
Forza Horizon 6 Reportedly Won’t Launch on PS5 in 2026
The latest information comes from The Verge’s Tom Warren, who responded to questions about the PS5 release by saying he is “not expecting to see Forza Horizon 6 on PS5 in 2026.”
IGN subsequently reported that it understands this information to be accurate.
Neither Microsoft nor Playground Games has officially announced a delay, meaning we don’t currently have a new release date for the PS5 version.
However, the lack of communication surrounding the port has become increasingly noticeable.
The official Forza Horizon channels last provided a significant update regarding the PlayStation release in January, when they confirmed that the game was still expected to reach PS5 during 2026.
With the year moving forward and no further information arriving, a 2027 release is now looking increasingly likely.
Xbox’s Multiplatform Strategy Has Changed
The reported delay arrives during another major shift in Microsoft’s approach to Xbox exclusives.
Microsoft had increasingly embraced multiplatform releases, bringing major franchises that were once closely associated with Xbox to PlayStation. More recently, however, Xbox has begun placing greater emphasis on giving players reasons to purchase its own console.
Gears of War: E-Day has been announced as an Xbox console exclusive despite previous reports surrounding a possible PS5 version. Microsoft has also confirmed that Clockwork Revolution isn’t currently heading to PlayStation.
At the same time, Xbox hasn’t abandoned multiplatform releases entirely.
Halo: Campaign Evolved arrived on PS5 as previously planned, while Playground Games’ upcoming Fable reboot is still scheduled to launch simultaneously across Xbox, PC and PlayStation 5 on February 23, 2027.
That makes Microsoft’s current strategy much more selective rather than representing a complete reversal of its multiplatform push.
Forza Horizon 6 could now be another example of that approach.
Forza Horizon 6 Probably Isn’t Canceled for PS5
Despite the apparent delay, there’s currently little reason to believe Microsoft has abandoned the PS5 version altogether. The company previously announced the port publicly, and Xbox has continued to honor several of its existing multiplatform commitments despite its evolving strategy.
There’s also a significant financial incentive to eventually bring Forza Horizon 6 to Sony’s console.
Forza Horizon 5 reportedly surpassed five million copies sold on PS5, demonstrating just how large the PlayStation audience can be for Microsoft’s racing franchise. Forza Horizon 6 has also reportedly enjoyed a strong launch on its existing platforms.
Delaying the PS5 version could therefore allow Microsoft to maintain the game’s status as an Xbox console exclusive for longer before opening it up to another potentially enormous audience.
Microsoft Could Be Extending Forza Horizon 6’s Xbox Exclusivity
If the reports are accurate, the decision could represent a middle ground in Microsoft’s changing console strategy. Rather than keeping major franchises permanently exclusive or releasing everything simultaneously across competing platforms, Xbox could increasingly use timed console exclusivity for selected games.
That would give Xbox hardware an exclusive window while still allowing Microsoft to generate additional software sales on PS5 later. Forza Horizon 6 is particularly well suited to such an approach.
The franchise remains one of Xbox’s most recognizable properties, while Forza Horizon 5 has already demonstrated that there is substantial demand for the series among PlayStation players.
For now, though, Microsoft hasn’t explained what’s happening.
Until Xbox or Playground Games officially updates the game’s PlayStation plans, Forza Horizon 6’s PS5 delay should be treated as reported rather than formally confirmed.
What increasingly appears unlikely is the originally announced 2026 release window.
If Forza Horizon 6 does move to 2027 on PS5, would you wait for the PlayStation version or play it on Xbox or PC instead?
