The console wars died. Honestly, they did. If you told a die-hard Xbox fan five years ago that they’d see a Ferrari with a Forza plate screaming across a PlayStation 5 screen, they would’ve laughed you out of the room. But here we are in 2026, and the landscape is basically unrecognizable.
Microsoft’s "Project Latitude" shifted the goalposts for everyone. Now, the question isn’t if the world’s most popular racing franchise is crossing the aisle, but rather when is Forza coming to PS5 for the next big installment. If you’re sitting there with a DualSense controller in hand, waiting for the green light, there is some very specific news you need to hear.
The short version? You've already got one, and the next one is closer than you think.
The Forza Horizon 5 Success Story
Let’s look at the facts. Microsoft finally pulled the trigger on a PS5 port for Forza Horizon 5 back in April 2025. It wasn't just a small "experimental" release. It was a massive hit. Recent data from Alinea Analytics indicates that the PS5 version of Forza Horizon 5 has already cleared 5.1 million copies sold.
🔗 Read more: Gothic Romance Outfit Dress to Impress: Why Everyone is Obsessed With This Vibe Right Now
Think about that. A four-year-old game moved five million units on a "rival" platform in less than a year. It reportedly generated over $300 million in revenue for Microsoft. When money talks that loudly, the suits in Redmond listen. It basically confirmed that the PlayStation audience is starving for a high-quality open-world racer that isn't Gran Turismo 7.
Is Forza Horizon 6 Coming to PS5?
This is where it gets interesting. Forza Horizon 6 was officially revealed at the Tokyo Game Show in late 2025. The setting is Japan—the one thing fans have been begging for since the Obama administration.
Here is the current situation for the PS5 release:
💡 You might also like: The Problem With Roblox Bypassed Audios 2025: Why They Still Won't Go Away
- Xbox and PC Launch: A massive leak inside Forza Horizon 5 (and corroborated by VGC) points to a May 19, 2026 release date for Xbox and PC.
- The PS5 Delay: Unlike Fable, which is rumored for a simultaneous multi-platform launch, Forza Horizon 6 is expected to have a "timed" window. Microsoft confirmed the game will arrive on PS5, but it will be "post-launch."
- The Estimated Window: Industry insiders like Andy Robinson suggest the PS5 port isn't "ready yet" for a Day 1 release. Most analysts expect a 3 to 6-month delay. This puts the PS5 release of Forza Horizon 6 somewhere in late 2026, likely hitting the holiday season to maximize those $70 sales.
It’s a smart, if slightly annoying, strategy. Microsoft gets to keep the "only on Xbox" marketing for the initial hype cycle and Game Pass subscribers, then they cash a massive second check from PlayStation owners six months later.
What About Forza Motorsport?
If you’re a sim-racing fan looking for the track-focused Forza Motorsport, I have some bummer news. While Horizon is thriving, Motorsport is currently "resting."
Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Gaming, recently admitted that Turn 10 Studios had to scale back. They’ve essentially stopped development on new content for the 2023 Forza Motorsport reboot. No new tracks, no new cars. While the servers are still up, there is zero indication that a PS5 port is in the works.
📖 Related: All Might Crystals Echoes of Wisdom: Why This Quest Item Is Driving Zelda Fans Wild
Basically, Microsoft is prioritizing the games that make the most money. Horizon is a cash cow. Motorsport struggled to find its footing against Gran Turismo. If you want to race on PS5, you’re looking at Horizon 6 or sticking with Polyphony Digital’s offering.
Why the Japan Setting Matters for PlayStation
The move to Japan for Forza Horizon 6 is a tactical masterstroke. By setting the game in Sony’s backyard, Microsoft is making the game incredibly attractive to the global PlayStation audience. We’re talking about neon-lit Tokyo streets, mountain drift passes (touge), and a car culture that resonates deeply with the "Gran Turismo" crowd.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has been vocal about being "everywhere, on every platform." They aren't trying to sell you an Xbox Series X anymore; they’re trying to sell you a piece of software. If you own a PS5, you are now a target customer for Xbox Game Studios.
Actionable Next Steps for PS5 Players
If you’re dying to get behind the wheel, here is how you should play this:
- Don't wait for a "Complete Edition": When Forza Horizon 6 eventually hits PS5, it will likely include the base game and potentially the first DLC. Don't expect a massive discount at launch just because it came out on Xbox first.
- Check your storage: Forza Horizon 5 on PS5 is a beefy download, often exceeding 120GB. Expect Horizon 6 to be even larger given the "denser" city environments of Japan.
- Watch the January Developer Direct: Xbox is hosting a livestream on January 22, 2026. This is where we expect the formal confirmation of the May release date and, hopefully, a clearer roadmap for the PlayStation version.
The bottom line is simple: Forza is no longer a "forbidden fruit" for PlayStation owners. It's just a matter of patience. You’ll be drifting through Kyoto on a DualSense soon enough; you just might have to wait until the leaves start changing color in the fall of 2026 to do it.