Six Flags Sells 7 Parks, Focuses on Top Performers

Sale includes former Cedar Fair properties as Six Flags aims to reduce debt and invest in high-potential parks

Mar. 16, 2026 at 8:06pm

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Six Flags, North America's largest regional amusement park company, is selling seven of its properties, including three former Cedar Fair parks, to a real estate investment trust. The $331 million deal will allow Six Flags to focus on its most profitable parks and reduce its significant debt load of over $5 billion. The sale includes Worlds of Fun, Michigan's Adventure, Valleyfair, Six Flags St. Louis, and other mid-tier parks that industry experts describe as "mediocre-performing."

Why it matters

The sale represents a strategic shift for Six Flags as it looks to streamline operations and invest more heavily in its top-performing parks. This move comes as the company faces pressure to reduce debt and keep pace with expansion by rivals like Disney, Universal, and Herschend. The decision to sell off less profitable properties will allow Six Flags to concentrate resources on enhancing guest experiences at its core parks.

The details

The seven parks being sold to EPR Properties include three former Cedar Fair properties - Worlds of Fun, Michigan's Adventure, and Valleyfair - as well as Six Flags St. Louis, which was one of the original Six Flags parks. The sale will reduce Six Flags' total debt by over $300 million. Industry experts note the $331 million sale price seems low, but say it allows Six Flags to focus on its most promising parks and free up resources for major capital investments at those locations.

  • Six Flags announced the sale in March 2026.
  • The sale is expected to close by the end of March or early April 2026.
  • The sold parks will retain the Six Flags name and operating schedules through 2026.

The players

Six Flags

North America's largest regional amusement park company, which is selling seven of its properties to reduce debt and focus on its top-performing parks.

EPR Properties

A real estate investment trust that is purchasing the seven Six Flags parks, including several former Cedar Fair properties.

Dennis Speigel

Founder of International Theme Park Services, an industry consulting firm, who commented on the sale.

Robert Niles

Editor of Theme Park Insider, an industry publication, who also provided analysis on the sale.

John Reilly

The new CEO of Six Flags who started late in 2025 and will oversee the company's strategic direction going forward.

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What they’re saying

“What surprised me the most was the price. That's about what a roller coaster costs these days.”

— Dennis Speigel, Founder, International Theme Park Services (cleveland.com)

“Selling parks allows Six Flags to help pay off debt and raise much-needed cash for adding new rides at its remaining parks. The company needs to start investing more in new attractions if it is to have any hope of holding on to customers as rivals Disney, Universal, Legoland and Herschend expand across the country.”

— Robert Niles, Editor, Theme Park Insider (cleveland.com)

What’s next

Six Flags CEO John Reilly will likely evaluate whether additional park sales are needed after seeing the company's parks in operation this year.

The takeaway

Six Flags' decision to sell off underperforming parks represents a strategic shift to focus resources on its most profitable and high-potential properties. This move aims to reduce the company's substantial debt load and enable greater investment in new rides and guest experiences to stay competitive with major theme park rivals expanding across the country.