Forza Horizon 6 takes the series back to its roots with a fresh, structured wristband progression system that ditches the "instant superstar" approach of recent titles. Instead, you start as a tourist in Japan with no reputation and work your way through seven distinct wristband tiers, unlocking faster cars, exclusive events, and new regions as you go.
The 7 Wristband Tiers
In Forza Horizon 6, the wristband system is linear, with each tier requiring you to earn points and complete challenges before advancing. You progress from rookie status all the way to Horizon Legend. Here's a breakdown of the tiers and what they unlock:
| Tier | Status | Key Unlocks & Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1: Yellow | Rookie | Earned after completing the Horizon Qualifiers and Invitational. |
| 2: Green | Rookie | Grants access to slightly faster everyday cars. |
| 3: Blue | Intermediate | Unlocks more diverse Road, Dirt, and Cross Country curated events. |
| 4: Pink | Intermediate | Access to high-performance sports cars. |
| 5: Orange | Advanced | Further increases car class eligibility. |
| 6: Purple | Elite | Crucial Tier: The minimum rank required to use Hypercars in official Festival races. |
| 7: Gold | Legend | Unlocks Legend Island, an endgame region featuring the Colossus (the longest Goliath in series history). |
How to Unlock New Wristbands
The progression through wristbands is carefully designed to prevent players from rushing to the top. In Forza Horizon 6, you need to put in the effort to earn your place in the festival. Here's how you can move up:
1. Curated Racing Events
Unlike previous titles, Forza Horizon 6 introduces "curated experiences" for its Festival races. This means you won’t be able to pick any car to race. Instead, these events will have specific car sets or themes that you must follow to complete them. Once you finish a curated event, you unlock more racing possibilities.
2. Wristband Events
Special set-piece events, like racing against the "Chaser Zero" mech or taking on Horizon Rush obstacle courses, are required to advance through the tiers. These unique events are designed to push your skills and provide exciting challenges.
3. Open World Activities
Besides racing, you can earn points through other activities in the open world. Completing PR stunts, such as speed traps or danger signs, and earning skill points all count towards your progression. The more you explore and complete these side activities, the faster you’ll unlock new wristbands.
4. Scaling Rewards
The rewards you get for completing races and events are now scaled to match your wristband tier. At lower levels, you'll earn small credits and cosmetic items like clothing. However, as you progress, higher-tier wristbands will grant you performance cars, rare vehicles, and more valuable rewards.
Once you complete a race, you’ll also unlock the Race Customizer, similar to the Blueprint system from previous games. This tool lets you remove restrictions like car types, weather conditions, and traffic for a more personalized race experience.
The wristband system in Forza Horizon 6 offers a more rewarding, structured progression path, forcing you to prove your worth as you climb through the ranks. Each tier not only unlocks faster cars but also gives you access to new events and regions to explore, ensuring there's always something exciting ahead. Whether you're racing against massive mechs or taking on the Colossus, the journey to become a Horizon Legend is full of thrilling challenges and rewards.
