2025 Forza Horizon Year in Review

In 2025, the Forza franchise celebrated twenty years of racing history alongside one of the most dedicated communities in gaming. From players who first experienced Forza on the original Xbox in 2005 to those joining the series for the first time this year on new platforms, Turn 10 Studios used the occasion to reflect on how deeply player creativity and connection have shaped the franchise. Across social media, in-game galleries, and community hubs, Forza players shared liveries, photos, EventLab creations, and competitive moments that underscored the series’ evolution into more than a racing game. Forza in 2025 stood as a shared space where artistry, competition, and collaboration coexist.

Community creativity remained at the heart of the Forza experience throughout the year. Talented designers produced liveries inspired by real-world motorsport, anniversary celebrations, seasonal themes, and pop culture, transforming cars into rolling expressions of personality. Virtual photographers captured dramatic race moments, serene landscapes, and cinematic compositions that highlighted the visual identity of both Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon 5. EventLab creators continued to expand the boundaries of what players could do, designing custom circuits, stunt challenges, and photo maps that provided endless new ways to engage with Horizon Mexico. These community-driven contributions extended replayability and reinforced Forza’s reputation as a platform shaped as much by its players as by its developers.

The centerpiece of 2025 for many longtime fans was the 20th Anniversary of Forza Motorsport, marked most notably by the return of Fujimi Kaido. Absent since Forza Motorsport 4, the iconic 16.5-kilometer mountain pass returned as the largest track project in the franchise’s history. Revered by drifters and touge racers, Fujimi Kaido’s winding roads represented a bridge between Forza’s legacy and its modern ambitions. Its release coincided with the introduction of Meetups, a new feature that allowed players to gather casually on legendary circuits such as Fujimi Kaido and Nürburgring, blending social interaction with high-performance driving in a way that reshaped how Motorsport is experienced.

Beyond its anniversary celebrations, Forza Motorsport evolved through a series of meaningful updates in 2025. New cars from manufacturers like BMW and Porsche expanded the roster, while Daily Racers and Velocity-themed events refreshed the competitive rotation. Gameplay additions such as open-wheel IndyCar racing, manual grid ordering in private multiplayer, and an upgraded multi-line Drivatar AI system enhanced realism and player agency. The introduction of the Champions Cup offered a focused single-player campaign centered on racecars, while the return of previously released Featured Tours ensured that content remained accessible to players at any time, supporting both newcomers and veterans alike.

Competitive community events also defined the Motorsport scene this year. Weekly challenges, organized leagues, and large-scale endurance races brought together thousands of drivers across skill levels. Record-breaking participation numbers highlighted the strength of the competitive ecosystem, while long-running events reached milestone anniversaries that reflected years of consistent community engagement. These grassroots efforts demonstrated how Forza Motorsport continues to thrive as a competitive platform fueled by player passion and collaboration.

Forza Horizon 5 enjoyed another standout year, continuing its adventure through Mexico while expanding its global audience. Content updates introduced new EventLab build stubs, Festival Playlist voting, and Horizon Realms, which allowed players to revisit evolving world locations alongside the addition of the Horizon Stadium Circuit. Several high-profile reward cars joined the lineup, and new permanent race routes further diversified the driving experience. A major milestone arrived in April when Forza Horizon 5 launched on PlayStation 5, welcoming an entirely new community of players and reinforcing the franchise’s cross-platform future through shared events, challenges, and creativity.

The year concluded with a look ahead as Forza Horizon 6 was officially revealed at Tokyo Game Show 2025. The announcement confirmed that the next Horizon Festival will take place in Japan in 2026, one of the most anticipated settings in the series’ history. As Turn 10 Studios shifts its focus toward Horizon 6, support for Forza Motorsport will continue through active online servers, rotating events, and returning content. Together, these moments made 2025 not just a celebration of Forza’s past, but a confident statement of its future, driven by a global community ready to race into the next era.