Forza Horizon 6 Wristbands: How Many & Rewards
Forza Horizon 6 uses a wristband system as its main progression mechanic: you earn four different colored wristbands by completing specific race series and showcase events, and each one unlocks the next tier of races, map areas, and rewards. This article explains exactly how many wristbands exist, what each one unlocks, and how the system works.
How the Wristband System Works
In Forza Horizon 6, wristbands replace the traditional “story chapter” or “race hub” structure from earlier games. Instead of a single linear campaign, you progress through four distinct festival tiers, each tied to a wristband color. You earn a wristband by completing a set of required events—usually a mix of road races, dirt races, cross-country events, and a signature showcase. Once earned, the wristband grants access to new races, new parts of the map, and additional rewards like cars or cosmetic items.
The system is designed to let you choose your own path within each tier. You don’t have to do every event; you only need to complete enough to fill the tier’s progress bar. This means you can focus on the disciplines you enjoy most, as long as you hit the required number of events.
The Four Wristbands and Their Colors
There are exactly four wristbands in Forza Horizon 6, each with a distinct color and theme:
- Blue Wristband (Horizon Mexico) – The starting tier. It unlocks the first set of races and the initial festival site. You earn it by completing the prologue and a few early events.
- Green Wristband (Horizon Baja) – Focuses on off-road and cross-country racing. Unlocks the Baja region and its associated events.
- Orange Wristband (Horizon Canyon) – Adds road and sprint races in the canyon area. Unlocks new showcase events and higher-tier rewards.
- Purple Wristband (Horizon High) – The final tier. Unlocks the remaining map area, the final showcase, and the endgame content like the Horizon Festival Finals.
Each wristband is earned in order; you cannot skip tiers. However, within a tier, you have freedom to choose which events to complete.
What Each Wristband Unlocks
Beyond just new races, each wristband provides specific gameplay unlocks:
- Blue Wristband: Unlocks the first festival site, fast travel to that site, and the initial set of road and dirt races. Also unlocks the first Horizon Story missions.
- Green Wristband: Unlocks the Baja outpost, new off-road vehicles in the Autoshow, and the ability to enter the Baja showcase event. Also expands the map with new PR stunts.
- Orange Wristband: Unlocks the Canyon festival site, new road racing series, and access to the Horizon Wilds showcase. Also unlocks the ability to unlock additional car mastery perks.
- Purple Wristband: Unlocks the final festival site, the Horizon High showcase, and the post-game “Horizon Open” events. Also unlocks the ability to earn the rarest cars through the Wheelspin and Super Wheelspin pools.
Each wristband also increases your “Horizon Rank,” which affects the difficulty of AI opponents and the rewards you get from races.
How Many Events Do You Need to Complete?
The number of events required per wristband varies, but the general pattern is:
- Blue Wristband: 5-7 events (including the prologue).
- Green Wristband: 8-10 events.
- Orange Wristband: 10-12 events.
- Purple Wristband: 12-15 events, including the final showcase.
These numbers are approximate and can change based on how many side activities you complete. The game tracks your progress on the main menu, showing a percentage bar for each wristband.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
One common mistake is thinking you must complete every race in a tier to progress. That’s not true—you only need to fill the progress bar, which is about 70-80% of the tier’s events. This is a deliberate design choice to let players skip event types they don’t enjoy.
Another misconception is that wristbands are permanent once earned. In Forza Horizon 6, wristbands are permanent—you don’t lose them if you fail a race or change difficulty. However, if you restart the game, you’ll have to earn them again.
Also, some players confuse wristbands with the “Accolades” system. Wristbands are the main story progression; Accolades are optional challenges that give you bonus XP and cars, but they don’t unlock the map.
Tips for Earning Wristbands Faster
If you want to progress quickly, focus on these strategies:
- Do showcase events as soon as they appear—they give a large chunk of progress.
- Use the “Horizon Solo” mode to reduce AI difficulty and win races more easily.
- Complete PR stunts (speed zones, drift zones, etc.)—they count toward wristband progress in some tiers.
- Upgrade your car to the top of its class to make races easier.
- Don’t ignore the Horizon Story missions—they often reward you with a wristband progress bonus.
What Happens After the Purple Wristband?
Once you earn the Purple Wristband, you’ve completed the main campaign. The game opens up fully: all races are available, the entire map is accessible, and you can participate in the Horizon Open (online multiplayer) and the weekly Festival Playlist. There is no “end” to the game—you continue earning cars, credits, and completing seasonal challenges.
Some players ask if there are more than four wristbands. No, there are only four in the base game. However, future expansions or updates might add new ones, but as of now, four is the max.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy wristbands with real money?
No. Wristbands are earned through gameplay only. There is no microtransaction for wristbands. You can, however, buy cars and cosmetics with in-game credits or real money via the Forza Horizon 6 store, but that doesn’t affect wristband progression.
Can I earn wristbands in co-op or multiplayer?
Yes. You can play the campaign in co-op with friends, and progress counts for all players in the session. However, only the host’s wristband progress is saved if you’re playing in a shared world. In the solo campaign, each player has their own progress.
What happens if I miss a required event?
You can’t permanently miss any event. All events remain available after you earn the wristband. If you skip a race, it stays on the map and you can do it later. The only exception is the final showcase, which requires the Purple Wristband to unlock.
Are wristbands tied to difficulty settings?
No. You can change the difficulty at any time, and it doesn’t affect wristband progress. However, higher difficulty gives you more credits and XP, which can help you buy better cars for later races.
Do wristbands unlock new cars?
Yes. Each wristband tier adds new cars to the Autoshow (the in-game car store). For example, the Green Wristband unlocks off-road vehicles like the Ford Bronco and the Jeep Trailcat. The Purple Wristband unlocks hypercars like the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento and the Koenigsegg Jesko.
Can I replay the final showcase after earning the Purple Wristband?
Yes. You can replay any showcase event from the pause menu or the map. There is no limit to how many times you can replay them, and you’ll earn credits and XP each time.
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