The boundary between digital racing fantasy and mechanical reality is about to blur in spectacular fashion as the British Motor Museum prepares to host the UK’s first real-world Forza Horizon Experience. In partnership with Playground Games, the Midlands-based developers behind the globally acclaimed franchise, the museum will transform into a living, breathing extension of the Horizon Festival universe.
Running from May through to the end of November, the Forza Horizon 6 The Experience marks a cultural crossover moment where gaming, automotive heritage and immersive entertainment converge under one roof. It arrives alongside the release of Forza Horizon 6 on 15 May, a title set in Japan that celebrates the country’s iconic JDM car culture and cinematic landscapes.
To launch the experience, the museum will host a one-day festival on 23 May that captures the energy of the Horizon Festival itself. Expect a curated celebration of performance and play, where meticulously selected Japanese performance cars sit alongside live music drawn straight from the game’s soundtrack. A highlight of the day will be a precision drift showcase led by stunt driver Tessa Whittock, bringing controlled chaos and tyre smoke choreography to the fore.
The festival atmosphere extends beyond the cars. Gaming vans will allow visitors to jump directly into Forza Horizon 6, while younger guests can take part in a dedicated Didi car arena designed to introduce early driving fun in a safe environment. Street food vendors and interactive entertainment will round out the experience, ensuring the event feels as much like a cultural festival as it does an exhibition.
Industry presence adds further weight to the occasion. Craig Duncan, Head of Xbox Game Studios, will officially open the Horizon Festival, joined by developers from Playground Games who will offer insight into the creative process behind the series. RobocodeUK will also host coding workshops aimed at inspiring the next generation of game developers, giving attendees a hands-on introduction to building interactive digital worlds.
Beyond the launch day, the exhibition continues on the mezzanine floor of the British Motor Museum, where a carefully curated selection of vehicles tells the story of automotive performance across eras and continents. The lineup includes JDM legends such as the Nissan Skyline GT-R and Honda NSX-R, rally icons like the Lancia Stratos and Subaru Impreza 22B STI, and modern engineering statements including the Lotus Emira and Toyota Land Cruiser. Hypercar innovation is represented by the Jaguar C-X75, while cult classics like the Peel P50 and track-focused machines such as the Ariel Atom 500 V8 add character and contrast.
Alongside the physical display, an interactive Xbox zone brings the digital side of the Horizon universe to life through high-end racing simulators. Visitors can explore Japan’s scenic routes or compete in structured in-game challenges, with exclusive Forza Horizon 6 merchandise available for top performers. A playful “find Tank” activity also invites younger guests to search for the game’s beloved mascot throughout the museum grounds.
At its core, the collaboration reframes the British Motor Museum as more than a custodian of automotive history. It becomes a meeting point for heritage and innovation, where engineering legacy and digital imagination feed into one another. As museum CEO Peter Armstrong notes, the aim is to connect generations through shared automotive storytelling, while Playground Games Studio Head Trevor Williams describes it as a chance to showcase the artistry and engineering behind both real and virtual cars.
Whether you arrive as a lifelong petrolhead, a dedicated gamer, or simply someone curious about the evolving culture of cars, the Forza Horizon 6 Experience offers a rare opportunity to step inside a world where driving is both memory and simulation, past and future, all at once.
