Forza Horizon 6 introduces a dual-path progression system built around wristband tiers and the Explore Japan mission line. Unlike previous Horizon games, you cannot simply grind one event type — you must balance multiple progression tracks to unlock the full game.
Progression System Overview
| System | How It Works | Key Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Wristbands | Earn fans from events to unlock higher wristband tiers | Access to more prestigious events & rewards |
| Explore Japan | Complete discovery missions across all regions | Stamp Level upgrades for Barn Find unlocks |
| Player Housing | Purchase properties for passive income and perks | Bonus XP, fast travel, and cosmetic rewards |
| Festival Playlists | Weekly seasonal challenges (Thursday refresh) | Exclusive cars (Mazda Furai, etc.) |
Wristband Tiers
Wristbands are the main progression gate in FH6. Each tier unlocks new events, harder difficulty options, and better rewards:
- Blue Wristband — Starting tier. Unlocks basic road races and street scene events
- Green Wristband — Unlocks dirt racing and first Explore Japan missions
- Yellow Wristband — Unlocks cross-country events and player housing purchases
- Pink Wristband — Unlocks drag races and showcase events
- Orange Wristband — Unlocks gauntlet races and CoLab multiplayer content
- Purple Wristband — Unlocks legendary events and the Nissan R390 Barn Find
- Gold/Legend Wristband — Top tier. Unlocks everything including the Mazda 787B Barn Find
Focus on completing Explore Japan missions early — they provide both Stamp XP (for Barn Finds) and Fan XP (for wristband progression), making them the most efficient use of your time early in the campaign.
Explore Japan Missions
The Explore Japan mission line sends you across all of FH6's regions — Tokyo, Nagano, Ohtani, Shimanoyama, Ito, Minamino, Hokubu, and Takashiro. Key activities include:
- Tokyo Food Delivery — Timed city delivery challenges (reward: Food Delivery Outfit)
- Regional Mascots — Smash hidden mascot statues (reward: Honda NSX-R '05)
- Day Trips — Drive specific cars to landmarks for photo ops (reward: Audi R8 '13)
- Drift Club Japan — Score points in designated drift zones (reward: #777 Nissan 240 drift car)
- Moto Auto Zine — Collect car magazine stamps (reward: Honda Civic '84)
- Yuji's Special Story — Complete 86 story missions (reward: Modified GR86)
Early Game Priority Checklist
- Complete the intro — Finish Horizon Mexico prologue and arrive in Japan
- Unlock Blue wristband — Win your first few road races to build fan base
- Start Explore Japan — Begin the discovery missions for dual XP gain
- Buy first property — Save for Valley Estate or equivalent for passive bonuses
- Check Festival Playlist — See current weekly rewards before focusing events
- Target Barn Finds — Work toward Blue stamp level for your first Barn Find