Forza Horizon 6 release times – when you can start playing, plus how to pull off the New Zealand trick

With Forza Horizon 6 almost here and everybody already wanting to know what time they can start their engines, the main thing you need to know is that not every platform unlocks at exactly the same local time. Xbox Series X|S and the Xbox app on PC use a rolling midnight launch, which means players in some regions can start earlier than others, while Steam follows one global release time based on US Eastern time, which makes things even more confusing.

That also means the classic “New Zealand trick” is back for Xbox gamers hoping to get behind the wheel a little sooner and see a bit of Japan first.

So let’s all calm down a bit, work out some times and present them in a nice (correct) easy-to-read format for you all that couldn’t be clearer. It’s a deal.

What time does Forza Horizon 6 go live?

You may well see some different times on some fairly big gaming websites that are wrong and the time conversion is out by a couple of hours. British Summer Time does that to people. Spring Forward Fall Back people!

Anyway, here is a correct list of timings for Xbox and Steam.

Forza Horizon 6 Premium Edition / Early Access release times

Forza Horizon 6 Standard / Deluxe Edition release times

How to use the Forza Horizon 6 New Zealand trick

If you’ve spent enough time around big game launches, you’ve probably heard players talking about the “New Zealand trick.” It pops up almost every time a major Xbox release uses a rolling midnight launch, and Forza Horizon 6 is no exception.

The idea is simple. Since New Zealand is in the future and reaches midnight before almost anywhere else. It is a futuristic Blade Runner-esque place with flying cars and the like. Players there gain access to the game hours ahead of regions like the UK and the US. Because Xbox unlocks according to local regional time, changing your console location can potentially let you jump in earlier.

For UK players, that can mean access from around 1pm the previous day, while players in the US can get in during the morning rather than waiting until midnight in their own region.

To do it:

1. Open Settings on your Xbox console
2. Go to System
3. Select Language & location
4. Change your location to New Zealand
5. Restart your Xbox completely
6. Launch Forza Horizon 6 from your library once the unlock time arrives

It’s worth noting that this only applies to the Xbox ecosystem and Microsoft Store version of the game, where unlocks happen region by region. Steam uses a single global launch time, so PC players on Valve’s platform won’t gain anything by trying it.

Once Forza Horizon 6 officially launches in your own region, you’ll probably want to switch your console location back again so your storefront, pricing, and regional settings return to normal.

Important: Microsoft generally hasn’t acted against players using the New Zealand trick for previous launches, but you’re changing your console region at your own discretion.

Other Forza Horizon 6 pages to check out

• Forza Horizon 6 pre-order bonus explained – what you get for coughing up early
• All Forza Horizons 6 Editions explained – which one should you buy?
• Forza Horizon 6 full track list – every song you will reportedly hear in the game

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