PlayStation 5 players may have to wait longer than expected to experience Forza Horizon 6. While Microsoft previously targeted a 2026 release for Sony’s console, new reports suggest the racing game will not arrive until January 2027.
The potential delay would extend the game’s Xbox and PC console exclusivity period. However, there may be a strategic reason behind the change.
Forza Horizon 6 PS5 Release Date Reportedly Leaked
According to reliable Dealabs insider billbil-kun, Forza Horizon 6 is now targeting January 26, 2027, for its PlayStation 5 release.
Microsoft originally confirmed the game as a timed console exclusive for Xbox Series X/S and PC. During the January 2026 Xbox Developer Direct, the company outlined its plans for the racing franchise, including a future PlayStation release.
At the time, Microsoft maintained that PS5 players could expect the game sometime in 2026. However, that release window now appears increasingly unlikely.
The reported January date would push the PlayStation version into the following year, extending the wait for players who do not own an Xbox or gaming PC.
A Planned Expansion Could Explain the Delay
The possible delay may involve more than development schedules.
Tom Warren from The Verge has also suggested that the PlayStation 5 version could move into 2027. His reporting connects the potential change to an upcoming expansion planned ahead of the game’s first anniversary in May 2027.
This could explain Microsoft’s decision to adjust the release schedule.
Rather than launching the PS5 version toward the end of 2026, Microsoft could position it closer to a major content update. Such an approach would give PlayStation players less time to wait before receiving additional content.
It could also provide Playground Games with an opportunity to introduce the game to a new audience while preparing its next major update.
However, neither Microsoft nor Playground Games has confirmed that the expansion is responsible for the reported scheduling change.
Xbox Players Could Benefit From Extended Exclusivity
If the reports prove accurate, Xbox Series X/S and PC players will enjoy a longer period of exclusivity than originally expected.
For Microsoft, the decision could also help maintain interest in Forza Horizon 6 across multiple platforms.
The company has increasingly embraced multiplatform releases, bringing several previously Xbox-exclusive franchises to PlayStation.
The Forza Horizon series is particularly important because of its popularity among racing fans. Its open-world environments, extensive vehicle selection, and accessible driving mechanics have helped establish the franchise as one of Xbox’s biggest gaming properties.
Bringing the latest entry to PlayStation could introduce the series to an even larger audience.
However, extending the exclusivity period may frustrate PS5 owners who expected to play the game before the end of 2026.
Microsoft Has Not Confirmed the New Release Date
Despite the reports from billbil-kun and Tom Warren, January 26, 2027, remains an unconfirmed release date.
Microsoft has not publicly announced a revised PlayStation 5 launch window. Playground Games has also remained silent regarding the reported delay.
Until an official announcement arrives, players should treat the January date as a credible rumor rather than a confirmed schedule.
For now, PS5 owners may need to prepare for a slightly longer wait before joining the next Horizon Festival.
