First goal
Clear the opening route and earn the first Wristband.
Beginner guide
What to do first in Forza Horizon 6
A spoiler-light first-session route for players who want to start cleanly without missing launch systems.
Series 1
Check the Festival Playlist after you qualify for the Festival.
Credits
Do not spend heavily until event needs become clear.
PC
Set graphics and update Gaming Services before troubleshooting races.
| Step | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Check settings before driving | Set graphics, accessibility, assists, controller or wheel input, and audio before the first race so early events are not wasted troubleshooting. |
| Clear the opening route | Follow the opening Horizon structure through the Qualifiers and Invitational path. Official progression notes tie the first Wristband to early festival progress. |
| Earn the first Wristband | Series 1 and some systems are easier to plan after the first Wristband is secured, so treat it as the first meaningful milestone. |
| Open the Festival Playlist | Check Series 1 after you qualify for the Festival. Focus on confirmed reward cars first, not untested fastest-route claims. |
| Save credits until needs are clear | Avoid buying random cars immediately. Wait until event types, reward gaps, or Series 1 objectives show what you actually need. |
Safe launch route
Start with setup, then follow the opening Horizon route instead of chasing every icon immediately. Official progression notes point players through early festival milestones before the wider seasonal loop becomes useful.
Once the first Wristband is earned, check Series 1, reward cars, Car Pass timing, and any weekly objectives. Treat exact fastest routes and tune picks as post-launch testing topics.
What to avoid early
Avoid spending credits just because a car looks useful. The first day is better spent learning event types, unlocking systems, and checking what Series 1 actually asks you to do.
If you are on PC, separate gameplay decisions from technical checks: update Gaming Services, confirm SSD space, then tune graphics only after the game is stable.