- Forza Horizon 6 has 7 wristband tiers: Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink, Orange, Purple, and Gold.
- You earn Festival Points by racing, completing PR Stunts, smashing Bonus Boards, and playing online — not through exploration or photography.
- Each tier unlocks higher car classes, new race types, and new championship events.
- Completing a Wristband Event (Showcase or Horizon Rush) is what officially earns each band — filling the bar alone is not enough.
- The Gold Wristband requires 32,500 Festival Points and makes you a Horizon Legend, unlocking Legend Island.
- Variety beats grinding — mixing race types earns points faster than repeating one event over and over.
What Is the Wristband Progression System in Forza Horizon 6?
The wristband system is the backbone of the Forza Horizon 6 campaign. It replaces the open-ended structure of earlier games with a clear, structured path. You start as a Tourist with nothing but a festival invite, and you work your way up through seven tiers to become a Horizon Legend.
Each wristband is a color-coded rank. You earn it by accumulating Horizon Festival Points across a range of racing activities, then completing a special Wristband Event that gates the next tier. This is an important distinction: filling the points bar does not automatically award the wristband. Once the bar fills, a Wristband Event appears on the map. You must complete that event to officially receive the band and unlock the next tier.
This system is a return to the original 2012 Forza Horizon formula. Playground Games brought it back in FH6 specifically to fix one of the biggest complaints about FH5 — progression that felt directionless. Now there is always a clear next step on the map.
If you are just getting started, our FH6 Beginner’s Guide covers the full journey from Tourist to Legend in detail.
All 7 Wristband Tiers in Forza Horizon 6
There are seven Festival Wristbands in total. They go in this order: Yellow, Green, Blue, Pink, Orange, Purple, and Gold. Each tier raises the car class ceiling for official Festival events and unlocks new race series around Japan.
Yellow Wristband – Rookie
This is your entry point. To earn the Yellow Wristband, you complete the Horizon Qualifiers and the Horizon Invitational. These are the intro races that prove you belong on the grid. Together they reward 1,250 Festival Points and unlock the Yellow Rookie Wristband automatically. At this tier, Festival events use D-class and C-class cars — slower machines, but perfect for learning Japan’s tight touge roads and city circuits. The car rewards tied to this tier include the Toyota GR86, Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI, and RAM 1500 TRX.
Green Wristband
After accumulating enough Festival Points from races, PR Stunts, and other activities, the Green Wristband Event unlocks at 2,500 cumulative Festival Points. The gate event is called Pier Pressure — a technical time attack course through the Tokyo City Docks using a demanding Ford RS200 Evolution. Green tier events introduce B-class cars and more varied race types.
Blue Wristband
The Blue tier unlocks at 6,000 cumulative Festival Points. The gate event is Mech My Day, and the associated car reward is the Acura NSX Type S. New race championships open up, and A-class vehicles become part of the official Festival events. This is where the field starts feeling genuinely fast, and tuning your car properly starts to matter more. Check our best cars upgrade and bodykit presets guide to stay competitive at this tier.
Pink Wristband
The Pink Wristband unlocks at 10,000 cumulative Festival Points. The gate event is Off Piste, with the Peugeot 207 Super 2000 as the associated reward. By this point you are working through dirt racing championships and cross-country series alongside road events. Spreading your activity across race types is key here — points come faster when you branch out rather than grind the same event type repeatedly.
Orange Wristband
The Orange tier unlocks at 15,000 cumulative Festival Points. The gate event is Flight Club, with the Porsche 911 Rallye as the reward. S1-class events open up here — these are genuinely quick cars, and the race competition gets sharper. Showcase Events at this stage become more spectacular and challenging. This is a good time to start collecting cars across different classes so you are always ready for whichever event type appears next.
Purple Wristband
The Purple Wristband is a major checkpoint, unlocking at 20,000 cumulative Festival Points. The gate event is Launch Control, with the Subaru WRX STI ARX Supercar as the reward. This is the tier that opens up Hypercar use in curated Festival events. Before this point, you work through lower-class machines, which actually makes the progression feel earned rather than handed to you. Once Purple is yours, S2-class and higher cars enter the picture. If you want to know which hypercars perform best, see our guides on the Koenigsegg Regera, the Pagani Huayra BC, and the Ferrari FXX K Evo.
Gold Wristband – Horizon Legend
The Gold Wristband is the top tier and the most coveted of all seven. You need 32,500 cumulative Horizon Festival Points to qualify for the Gold Wristband Event, and winning races alone will not be enough — side activities are essential to hit this number. The final gate event is called Horizon Legend, and the reward car is the Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae. Earning Gold makes you a Horizon Legend and unlocks access to Legend Island, the game’s gated endgame area. For the full breakdown of what awaits you there, read our Legend Island unlock guide.
All Wristband Point Requirements and Rewards
Here is a complete breakdown of every tier, the cumulative Festival Points required, the gate event name, and the car reward tied to each wristband.
| Wristband | Cumulative Festival Points | Gate Event | Event Type | Car Reward |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow | 1,250 | Horizon Invitational | Intro Series | Toyota GR86 / Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI / RAM 1500 TRX |
| Green | 2,500 | Pier Pressure | Horizon Rush | Ford RS200 Evolution |
| Blue | 6,000 | Mech My Day | Showcase | Acura NSX Type S |
| Pink | 10,000 | Off Piste | Showcase | Peugeot 207 Super 2000 |
| Orange | 15,000 | Flight Club | Showcase | Porsche 911 Rallye |
| Purple | 20,000 | Launch Control | Showcase | Subaru WRX STI ARX Supercar |
| Gold | 32,500 | Horizon Legend | Showcase | Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae |
The point totals above are cumulative, not incremental. You are not earning 15,000 new points at the Orange tier — you are reaching 15,000 total across everything you have done so far. Also note that reaching the threshold does not grant the wristband automatically. You must still complete the required gate event.
How to Earn Horizon Festival Points
Festival Points come from racing and structured Festival activities — not from exploration. The key principle is that variety beats volume. Your 50th Road Race gives far fewer points toward your next wristband than your first Dirt Race. The game rewards you for trying different activities. If progression feels slow, you are probably grinding one event type instead of branching out.
Activities that earn Horizon Festival Points include:
- Festival Races — Road, Dirt, Cross Country, Time Attack Circuits, Drag Meets, and Touge Battles all count. Mix them up for maximum efficiency.
- PR Stunts — Speed Traps, Speed Zones, Danger Signs, Drift Zones, and Trailblazers are marked in red and white on the map. You do not need three stars — attempting them still earns points.
- Bonus Boards — Each XP Bonus Board you smash adds points to your total. They are scattered across the entire Japan map.
- Championships — Entering full championships gives bulk Festival Points compared to individual races.
- Horizon Play (Online) — Each Horizon Play level you earn, up to Level 25, grants Festival Points directly toward your next Wristband. Online multiplayer feeds directly into your single-player campaign progress.
What does NOT earn Festival Points directly: Street Races, exploration activities like Sky Lanterns, photography, mascot hunting, food deliveries, and landmark discoveries are all part of the Discover Japan Stamps system — a separate progression track. Completing these will not move your Wristband bar. For more on that distinction, see the section below on Wristbands vs Stamps.
For more detailed advice on levelling up quickly, see our XP and level up fast guide and our credits farming guide.
Every Wristband Event Explained
Once you fill the Festival Points bar for a tier, a Wristband Event appears on your map. These are not regular races. Completing them — not just attempting them — is the only way to officially receive your next Wristband. They come in two formats:
Showcase Events
Spectacular set-piece races that are unique to each wristband tier. One of them features a race against Chaser Zero, the game’s iconic racing mech. These are cinematic, memorable moments designed to feel like a reward for your progress — you are not just racing other cars, you are racing against something unforgettable. Most of the mid-to-late tier gate events are Showcases.
Horizon Rush Events
Brand-new timed obstacle courses added in FH6. These are high-speed precision challenges across locations like the Tokyo City Docks, Sotoyama Ski Resort, and Irokawa Space Center. Sector splits help you track your pace through each section. Horizon Rush tests precision and timing rather than pure racing speed — a different skill set from a Showcase Event.
After completing a Wristband Event for the first time, the Race Customizer unlocks for that specific event, allowing you to replay it with any car from your garage and your own custom rules.
How to Unlock the Gold Wristband and Legend Island
The Gold Wristband is the hardest to earn and the most rewarding. Here is exactly what the process looks like:
- Accumulate 32,500 cumulative Festival Points through racing, PR Stunts, Bonus Boards, and Horizon Play.
- The Horizon Legend gate event appears on the map once you hit the threshold.
- Complete the event to officially earn the Gold Wristband and the Lamborghini Aventador LP 780-4 Ultimae.
- Legend Island unlocks immediately — the two previously blocked bridges connecting the island to the mainland open up.
You cannot fast travel to Legend Island, drive there early, or find a shortcut around the bridges before Gold. It is fully locked off. For the complete breakdown of what is waiting there, read our Legend Island unlock guide.
Wristband Progression and Online Play (Horizon Play)
Horizon Play is the multiplayer side of FH6, and it connects directly to Wristband progress. The modes available include Spec Racing, Touge Showdown, The Eliminator, Hide & Seek, and Custom Racing. Every Horizon Play level you earn, up to Level 25, grants Horizon Festival Points toward your next Wristband. This means online play actively advances your single-player campaign — you do not have to choose between the two. After Level 25 the crossover stops, but Horizon Play continues up to Level 100 with its own badge rewards and leaderboards.
For competitive online racing, see our best cars for Touge Battles and our Touge Battle mode complete guide.
What Does Each Wristband Unlock?
As you progress through the tiers, wristbands open up the following:
- New race types added to the Festival event list
- Higher car class restrictions for official events (D/C → B → A → S1 → S2 → R-class)
- New championship events around Japan
- The Race Customizer for completed events (replay with any car)
- Showcase and Horizon Rush events on the map
- Access to Legend Island upon earning Gold
It is worth noting that car class restrictions only apply to official Festival events. In free roam, you can drive any car you own at any wristband tier. The restrictions exist purely within the structured race events.
To make sure you have the right cars for each tier, see our best cars for every class guide and the full FH6 all cars by class list.
Legend Island: The Gold Wristband Reward
Legend Island is the endgame area of Forza Horizon 6. It sits in the southeast corner of the Japan map and stays completely locked until you earn the Gold Wristband. You cannot fast travel there, drive there early, or find shortcuts to it. The two bridges connecting it to the mainland are blocked until Gold is yours.
Once you arrive, Legend Island includes:
- The Legend Island Circuit — exclusive race events not available anywhere else on the map, built for R-class vehicles
- The Colossus — the longest Goliath race in Horizon history, a freeway loop around the entire Japan map that takes over 10 minutes per lap
- Unique car rewards tied to Legend Island achievements
- XP Bonus Boards scattered across the island that cannot be reached before Gold
- A second Festival Outpost serving the island’s events
For a full guide to the Colossus and Legend Island races, see our Goliath race and Colossus guide.
Wristbands vs Stamps vs Horizon Play: What Is the Difference?
One of the most common points of confusion in FH6 is mixing up its three progression systems. They all run at the same time, but they track different things and reward different content.
| System | What It Tracks | What It Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| Festival Wristbands | Structured Festival racing and stunts | Higher-tier events, gate events, car rewards, and Legend Island |
| Discover Japan Stamps | Exploration, photography, mascot hunting, food deliveries, street races, touge racing | Barn Find rumors, player houses, Estate progression |
| Horizon Play | Online multiplayer levels (up to 100) | Badge rewards and leaderboards — first 25 levels also grant Festival Points |
The practical takeaway: if you want to advance your Wristband tier faster, focus on Festival races, PR Stunts, and Bonus Boards. Exploration activities like Sky Lanterns, murals, and landmarks advance your Stamps, not your Wristband. Both matter for the full campaign, but they are separate meters.
There are 7 Stamps in total, just like there are 7 Wristbands, and both are tracked in the Collection Journal. For exploration, check our guides on Sky Lanterns locations, the Wakana Yamazaki mural, the Dragon 76 mural, and the Minamino Golf Course location.
Wristband Tips to Progress Faster
Mix Your Race Types
The single most important tip. Each new race discipline you try gives disproportionately high points compared to repeating a type you have already done many times. If you have been doing road races all session, switch to a Drag Meet or a Dirt Championship. Even one or two races in a new category can give a significant boost to your Festival Points bar.
Do PR Stunts Early
PR Stunts are marked on the map with red and white icons. Drift Zones are the easiest to clear early because you only need a car that slides, not raw speed. Speed Traps and Danger Signs are better saved for later tiers when you have faster cars. Each stunt attempted gives points even without three stars.
Play Horizon Play Online
The first 25 levels of Horizon Play grant Festival Points. If you enjoy online racing, this is free campaign progression. Play a few Touge Showdowns or Spec Racing events and those levels tick over, feeding directly into your next wristband.
Buy the Yashiki House Early
The Yashiki House in the Hokubu region costs 10,000 CR and comes with the Estate Builder perk. Buying it early unlocks building at the Estate, which is part of the Stamps progression. Stamps unlock Barn Finds and Player Houses. See our all houses locations and perks guide for the full list.
Check the Collection Journal Regularly
Go to Pause → Campaign → Collection Journal to see your combined progress. The journal has tiered credit rewards for milestones like completing 10 road races or discovering five landmarks. Many players forget to claim these payouts. Check it regularly and collect what you have already earned.
Use the Race Customizer
Once you complete a race for the first time, the Race Customizer unlocks for it. This lets you replay the event with any car in your garage, making it easier to attempt harder events with a better-suited vehicle on a second run.
Earn Barn Finds and Treasure Cars
Barn Finds reward rare classic cars that can give you a strong edge in lower-tier events. See our Barn Find locations guide for all of them. Also worth hunting are Treasure Cars like the Ford GT, the Porsche 959, and the Lancia Stratos.
Wheelspins and the Wristband System
Wheelspins return in FH6 but with a key change. You can only earn Wheelspins after you have qualified for the Horizon Festival. Playground Games has also rebalanced them — Super Wheelspins are rarer than in previous games, but more rewarding when you do earn them. This was done to protect the integrity of the wristband progression, so you are not skipping the early game experience by spinning into powerful cars before you have earned them.
Where to Play Forza Horizon 6
Forza Horizon 6 is available now on Xbox Series X|S and PC. A PlayStation 5 release is planned for later. You can get the game from the official sources below:
For PC players, check our FH6 PC requirements guide to make sure your system is ready. And if you want to explore the full Japan map before diving into wristband races, our Japan map guide covering all regions and landmarks is a great starting point.
