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The “Six Flags” name will continue to adorn the parks until the conclusion of 2026, according to company statements.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In a significant move, the country’s leading operator of regional theme parks has announced plans to downsize as part of a strategic shift. On Thursday, the company revealed its decision to sell a portion of its portfolio.
Six Flags Entertainment declared that it will divest seven of its parks to EPR Properties, based in Kansas City, for a total of $331 million, as detailed in their press release. After the sale, six of the U.S. parks will be leased and managed by Enchanted Parks. This company, formerly known as Innovative Attraction Management, currently operates Water Safari Resort in Old Forge, New York, and Diggerland USA in West Berlin, New Jersey.
The parks being offloaded by Six Flags include several notable locations across the United States.
Which Six Flags locations are being sold?
Despite the change in ownership, the parks will continue to welcome visitors, now under the stewardship of EPR Properties.
- Six Flags St. Louis
- Six Flags Great Escape: Queensbury, New York
- Worlds of Fun: Kansas City
- Valleyfair: Shakopee, Minnesota
- Michigan’s Adventure: Muskegon
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark: Galveston
- Six Flags La Ronde: Montreal
Are the parks closing?
No, the parks will remain open under the management of EPR Properties.
The parks will retain the Six Flags branding, continue to run their regular operating schedules, and honor all season passes through the end of 2026, officials said. The sale is expected to be finalized by the end of March.
“We understand how meaningful these parks are to the communities they serve and to the guests who have grown up visiting them,” Six Flags said in a statement. “We are confident in the future of these parks under the care of EPR and its operating partners, who have strong experience managing parks of this scale.”
Why did Six Flags sell the parks?
Six Flags President and CEO John Reilly, who just assumed the role on Dec. 8, framed the sale as a sharpening of focus and an optimization of the company’s portfolio. He also said the sale will allow the company to invest in new rides, upgrade infrastructure, and enhance guest experiences at its remaining parks.
“Since joining the Company, I have been clear that Six Flags’ earnings power has been under-realized,” Reilly said in the press release. “This transaction will simplify our portfolio, strengthen our balance sheet and position us to execute with greater clarity and discipline…Consistent with our strategy, this divestiture enables us to concentrate our capital, leadership and operational focus on the properties that we believe generate the strongest returns and offer the greatest long-term upside.”
An activist investor group that included NFL player Travis Kelce and Jana Partners announced last October that it had accumulated one of the largest ownership stakes in Six Flags and was working to press the company’s leadership to improve its struggling business, with a focus on shareholder value.