Six Flags Entertainment will sell seven of its amusement parks in the United States and Canada to EPR Properties for approximately $331 million. The parks involved in the transaction include Michigan’s Adventure in Muskegon, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston in Texas, Six Flags Great Escape in New York, Six Flags La Ronde in Montreal, Six Flags St. Louis in Missouri, Valleyfair in Minnesota, and Worlds of Fun in Kansas City.
John Reilly, CEO of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, noted that the divestiture aligns with the company’s strategic focus on maximizing returns and long-term growth by reallocating resources to more profitable locations. EPR Properties plans to collaborate with Enchanted Parks to manage the six parks in the U.S., while La Ronde Operations will oversee the Canadian facility.
All seven parks will maintain their regular operating schedules, and season passes sold will remain valid through the 2026 operating season. Following this sale, Six Flags will continue to operate 34 parks across 23 locations in North America.
The deal, expected to close by the end of the first quarter or early second quarter of 2026, reflects a significant restructuring move by Six Flags to reduce debt. Collectively, the seven parks attracted around 4.5 million visitors last year, generating net revenues of approximately $260 million.
EPR Properties’ CEO, Gregory Silvers, emphasized that this acquisition presents an opportunity to enhance their portfolio with quality experiential assets in established markets.
Why this story matters
- Reflects shifting strategies in the amusement park industry and potential impacts on local economies.
Key takeaway
- Six Flags is strategically streamlining its operations to focus on more profitable parks by divesting less lucrative assets.
Opposing viewpoint
- Some may argue that selling off these parks could diminish regional access to entertainment and leisure options.
