How to get Forza Horizon 5 early and play today

Forza Horizon 5 is hands-down one of the best racing games you can play, and that can make it difficult for the title to fully release in your region. Fortunately, Playground Games has provided dedicated Forza players a way to access its latest masterpiece ahead of everyone else, by taking advantage of early access. Here’s how you can play Forza Horizon 5 early, and what other benefits you gain while doing so.

What is Forza Horizon 5?

Forza Horizon 5 is the latest game from Playground Games, and it continues the long-running Forza Horizon franchise. Of course, Forza Horizon 5 is bigger and grander than any of its predecessors, with a plethora of vast improvements across the board to truly make it one of the best games of 2021.

Forza Horizon 5 features a hugely diverse map set in Mexico, hundreds of cars, and more accessible multiplayer features that ensures players can always feel welcome and always have fun. Horizon 5 is an impressive accomplishment from a studio that has consistently delivered excellent racing games.

Forza Horizon 5 is available now in early access, and releases in full on Nov. 9, 2021. The game is available on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming. Of course, you can also play Forza Horizon 5 through Xbox Game Pass to save you money.

How can I play Forza Horizon 5 early?

While Forza Horizon 5’s official release date is Nov. 9, 2021, many players can get their hands on the game as soon as Nov. 5. Players can do this by obtaining early access, which is available one of two ways: by preordering the Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, or by preordering the Premium Add-Ons Bundle DLC. Which way works best for you depends on how you intend to play Forza Horizon 5.

If you have yet to purchase Forza Horizon 5 and want to own everything the game has to offer, there’s no better choice than Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, which includes almost all DLC plus the base game in one package. However, if you’re playing Forza Horizon 5 through Xbox Game Pass or with a physical disc, or you’ve already purchased the Standard Edition of Forza Horizon 5, the Premium Add-Ons Bundle DLC gives you all the additional benefits of the Premium Edition, including early access, but doesn’t include the base game.

Once you’ve obtained early access through Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition or the Premium Add-Ons Bundle, check out Forza Horizon 5’s launch times for exact info on when the game launches (including early access), and how you preload the game to save you time and effort. Forza Horizon 5’s early access has already begun for some, so move quickly if you want to play Forza Horizon 5 before the majority of players join on Nov. 9.

What’s included?

Both the Premium Edition and the Premium Add-Ons Bundle include many of the same benefits, with one key difference — the Premium Add-Ons Bundle does not include the base game. Everything else between the two is the same. Here’s what you get:

• Early access. Preordering Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition or the Premium Add-Ons Bundle nets you four days of early access, letting you play Forza Horizon 5 on Nov. 5, 2021, instead of Nov. 9.
  • Early access is also granted to Xbox Game Pass subscribers through the Premium Add-Ons Bundle
• Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass. Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition or the Premium Add-Ons Bundle includes the Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass, a DLC that adds an additional 42 cars to the game.
  • Eight additional cars will be available in Forza Horizon 5 at launch with the Formula Drift Cars Pack
  • One car will be added to Forza Horizon 5 every week, for a total of 34 additional cars
  • We’re keeping track of all the DLC cars in Forza Horizon 5
  • The Forza Horizon 5 Car Pass is available through Forza Horizon 5 Deluxe Edition, Premium Edition, and the Premium Add-Ons Bundle, and is not available as a standalone purchase (right now)
• Forza Horizon 5 Welcome Pack. Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition or the Premium Add-Ons Bundle includes the Forza Horizon 5 Welcome Pack, a DLC that adds several in-game perks and bonuses when first playing the game, including:
  • Five specially pre-tuned cars gifted at launch
  • One Player House gifted at launch
  • Included one-time voucher that lets you purchase any car from the Autoshow
  • Three included one-time vouchers that let you purchase any Common or Rare clothing items
  • The Forza Horizon 5 Welcome Pack is available through Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, the Premium Add-Ons Bundle, and as a standalone purchase
• Forza Horizon 5 VIP Membership. Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition or the Premium Add-Ons Bundle includes the VIP Membership, a DLC that adds several in-game perks and bonuses throughout playing the game, including:
  • Three exclusive Forza Edition cars gifted at launch
  • One Player House gifted at launch
  • A Crown Flair, Vanity Items, Emote, and Car Horn gifted at launch
  • Races provide double the Credit rewards
  • Players gain extra Super Wheelspins every week
  • Additional bonuses and perks
  • The Forza Horizon 5 VIP Membership is available through Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, the Premium Add-Ons Bundle, and as a standalone purchase
• Forza Horizon 5 Expansion One. Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition or the Premium Add-Ons Bundle includes Forza Horizon 5 Expansion One, which is one of two unannounced DLC expansions coming to Forza Horizon 5 in the future.
  • Forza Horizon 5 Expansion One has not been revealed yet, but will be included in Forza Horizon 5 Premium Add-Ons Bundle when it does eventually launch
  • Forza Horizon 5 Expansion One is available through Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, the Premium Add-Ons Bundle, and the Expansions Bundle, but is not available as a standalone purchase (right now)
• Forza Horizon 5 Expansion Two. Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition or the Premium Add-Ons Bundle includes Forza Horizon 5 Expansion Two, which is one of two unannounced DLC expansions coming to Forza Horizon 5 in the future.
  • Forza Horizon 5 Expansion Two has not been revealed yet, but will be included in Forza Horizon 5 Premium Add-Ons Bundle when it does eventually launch
  • Forza Horizon 5 Expansion Two is available through Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition, the Premium Add-Ons Bundle, and the Expansions Bundle, but is not available as a standalone purchase (right now)
• Not included: Forza Horizon 5 Premium Edition or the Premium Add-Ons Bundle includes almost all optional DLCs for FH5, but does not include the Forza Horizon 5 Treasure Map. The Treasure Map DLC is only available as a standalone purchase.