Six Flags operates 42 theme and water parks across North America|Jeremy Thompson|CC BY 2.0
Amusement park chain Six Flags is facing tumultuous times, with attendance dropping 9% in the quarter ending June 29, its third straight quarterly loss. Its shares are down 47% this year.
The Siren’s Curse coaster at Cedar Point has broken down at least five times since its June debut. Over the weekend, a ride malfunction at a Six Flags in Maryland left around 32 riders stranded for an hour before being rescued.
The company operates 42 theme and water parks across North America. It has been facing headwinds since the 2024 merger with rival Cedar Fair. CEO Richard Zimmerman recently announced that he would be stepping down by the end of 2025.
Several factors, including bad weather, delayed openings, rising competition, and even smaller family-focused parks, have contributed to the lower sales.
Heavy thunderstorms and severe heat in the first half of the year reduced foot traffic, while the park chain delayed rides like the Quantum Accelerator in a New England location to 2026.
Growing competition—from $60 billion Disney expansions to franchises like Lego, Mattel and Peppa Pig building their own smaller parks—is chipping away at its appeal.
To regain momentum, Six Flags is betting on new coasters, season-pass sales, and even selling land to pay down debt.