Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN), North America’s largest amusement park operator, announced plans to invest over $1 billion across its 42 parks over the next two years to elevate the guest experience. With projected investments of $500 million to $525 million in both 2025 and 2026, Six Flags aims to introduce new rides, attractions, themed areas, dining upgrades, and technology improvements to create an unmatched level of fun and excitement for visitors of all ages.
“Our capital investment plans for the next two years reinforce our commitment to providing unmatched thrills, immersive entertainment and lifelong memories to guests of all ages,” said Six Flags President & CEO Richard A. Zimmerman. “The new Six Flags has a unique opportunity to refresh and renew the guest experience, one so compelling that a visit to one of our parks will be viewed as an indispensable choice in family entertainment.”
Six Flags New Additions for 2026
Among the capital investments currently planned for the 2026 operating season:
- Carowinds will introduce a record-breaking water ride
- Canada’s Wonderland will add a new record-breaking water attraction
- King’s Island will introduce a new family thrill attraction
- Knott’s Soak City will receive a water park refresh and aesthetic enhancements
- Six Flags Magic Mountain will debut a first-of-its-kind coaster in North America
- Six Flags Great America will celebrate its 50th anniversary, debuting a new kids’ area, commemorative events and park enhancements
- Six Flags Great Adventure will unveil a record-breaking launch coaster
- Six Flags Over Texas will unleash a record-breaking dive coaster
- Six Flags Mexico will introduce a family thrill boomerang coaster
Six Flags Ride Removals
Six Flags Over Texas is said to be removing La Vibora bobsled coaster and Larson loop El Diablo.
Cedar Point announced the removal of Snake River Falls and webcam footage appears to show Professor Delbert’s Frontier Fling being removed as well.
Additionally, Six Flags Great Adventure has confirmed the retirement of Kingda Ka and the removal of Green Lantern, The Twister, The Sky Way, and Parachutes.
“We understand that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate our guests’ passion,” Six Flags Great Adventure park president, Brian Bacica, said in a statement. “These changes are an important part of our growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences. We look forward to sharing more details next summer.”
The tallest currently operating full-circuit roller coaster is now Red Force at Ferrari Land in Spain at 367 feet.
Roller coasters operating at 99 miles per hour or above have not fared well. Only 2 out of 9 are currently operating (and I’ve heard Superman hasn’t operated all summer).
Update
In the original press release there was no mention of the status of the Zumanjaro drop ride attached to the 456 foot tall Kingda Ka support structure. Posts by ElToroRyan and Marcus Leshock say they recevied clarification from Six Flags that Kingda Ka and Zumanjaro are being completely removed and the 2026 roller coaster will be completely new.
I also asked @SFGrAdventure for clarification on whether Kingda Ka will be replaced or reimagined. I was told the park will be debuting a “completely new” roller coaster which falls in line with what others have been told that Kingda Ka will be removed, not reimagined. pic.twitter.com/74EgJvg7XB
— ElToroRyan (@ElToroRyan) November 14, 2024
Follow up to this … yes the ride is being removed! https://t.co/qAFlFRghQF
— Marcus Leshock (@marcusleshock) November 14, 2024
Our Thoughts on Six Flags Announcement
- There were a lot of stories circulating last week that Six Flags could potentially close multiple entire parks. This announcement is likely meant to give investors confidence that the amusement park chain isn’t going anywhere and are working hard to improve their product.
- It doesn’t specify if Carowinds water attraction is for the water park or dry park. The dry park used to have three water rides, went down to zero, and will have one next year. Maybe it will go up to two in 2026?
- Notice how Kings Island says “attraction” and not coaster? Looks like fans hoping for a Vortex replacement will have to wait a little while longer. Could it be a Tomb Raider replace though?
- If your home park is not listed, all hope is not lost. It says “Among the capital investments” so maybe there are more plans not listed here?
The record-breaking launch coaster at Great Adventure is most likely the LSM/Top Thrill 2 treatment to Kingda Ka as the ride was “retired” and not referred to as “removed” like the other rides- Cedar Point should be opening essentially two new roller coasters in 2025
- Six Flags Great Adventure will be opening new launch coasters in both 2025 and 2026
- Six Flags Mexico likely getting a new Vekoma roller coaster but not the one they wanted. Siren’s Curse is rumored to have been going there before it ran into permitting issues.
- After getting a new dive coaster in 2025, revamping the kids area at Six Flags Great America is a great investment and really needs an update.
- Could Six Flags Magic Mountain really be home to a 4D coaster (X2) and the first S&S axis coaster in North America?
Your Six Flags announcement thoughts?
What are your thoughts on the Six Flags 2026 plans? Are you sad Kingda Ka is gone forever? What do you think the “first-of-its-kind coaster in North America” at Six Flags Magic Mountain could be? Let us know in the comments below.
How about Buge Bunny Boomtown at Six Flags Great America also Peanuts or Looney Tunes gang bought Darien Lake too!