In Forza Horizon 6, the wristband system is the core progression mechanic, determining your rank and unlocking new opportunities within the Horizon Festival in Japan. Rather than starting as an elite driver, you begin your journey as a "tourist," building your way up through the ranks by completing specific races and events. Here’s a breakdown of the wristband tiers and how they impact your progression.

The 7 Wristband Tiers

The wristband system is divided into seven distinct levels, each representing a new chapter in your Horizon Festival journey. As you move through the tiers, you'll gain access to faster cars, more challenging race events, and additional areas of the map. Here's what each tier unlocks:

1. Yellow (1st Wristband)
   This is where your journey begins. Completing the Horizon Qualifiers grants you your first wristband. At this stage, you're driving entry-level cars from classes like D and C. Your focus will be on getting the hang of the basics before moving on to tougher challenges.
2. Green
   After earning the Yellow Wristband, you unlock a new set of curated events. The Green tier introduces intermediate car classes and more competitive race formats. You’re still learning, but now the stakes are higher and the events are more varied.
3. Blue
   The Blue Wristband brings even more intense races and advanced car classes. At this stage, you’ll start getting the feel for higher-level events that test your skill in various disciplines. Expect tougher competitors and more complex circuits.
4. Pink
   The Pink Wristband marks a significant step toward becoming an elite driver. With access to specialized racing events, you're starting to carve out your reputation within the festival. This tier opens up new challenges and prepares you for the real heart of the Horizon Festival.
5. Orange
   This tier unlocks some of the advanced racing circuits and specialized car culture events. At the Orange level, you're stepping into the big leagues and racing with serious contenders. Your focus shifts toward mastering high-performance cars and mastering more difficult event types.
6. Purple
   The Purple Wristband is a crucial late-game tier. It’s the minimum requirement to drive Hypercars in official Festival races, so you’re truly racing at the top level now. The challenges become even more demanding, and you're nearing the ultimate goal within the Horizon Festival.
7. Gold (Horizon Legend)
   The final wristband tier, the Gold Wristband, is the pinnacle of Forza Horizon 6. Earning this status unlocks Legend Island, a special endgame region, and the longest Goliath event in the franchise’s history, the Colossus. Achieving this rank means you’ve reached Horizon Legend status, and you’re officially one of the top drivers in the game.

How to Progress Between Tiers

To move up through the wristband tiers, you’ll need to accumulate progression points and complete specific events. Here’s how you can climb through the ranks:

Earning Progress

You can earn points toward your next wristband by participating in various activities throughout the festival:

• Winning Festival Races: These are your main source of progression, and they get harder as you rise through the tiers.
• Completing PR Stunts: These include jumps, speed zones, and drift zones that challenge your driving skills.
• Performing Skills: Actions like drifting, drafting, and other high-skill maneuvers will earn you skill points.
• Exploring Japan: The new Collection Journal rewards you for discovering new locations and collecting stamps across the country, adding a layer of exploration to your progression.

Unlocking Events

Once you’ve accumulated enough progress, you’ll need to complete a high-stakes event to officially rank up. These events are usually difficult and often have a unique twist.

• Showcase Events: These set-piece races pit you against unique opponents, such as the Chaser Zero racing mech. These events are a highlight of the game, offering both spectacle and tough competition.
• Horizon Rush Events: These timed obstacle courses are scattered across the map, in areas like the Tokyo City Docks and the Irokawa Space Center. They test your skills in navigating tight spaces, avoiding obstacles, and racing against the clock.

The wristband progression system in Forza Horizon 6 keeps players engaged by offering new challenges, car classes, and events as they climb through the ranks. Whether you're racing through city streets, off-road trails, or timed obstacle courses, each new wristband tier brings a fresh level of excitement and challenge.