Six Flags sells seven parks to EPR Properties in $331 million deal, including Six Flags Great Escape sale
Sandusky, Ohio (High Desert News Online) – Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced March 4, 2026, it agreed to sell seven amusement and water parks, including Six Flags Great Escape, to EPR Properties for $331 million — a move to streamline its portfolio and reduce debt.
Key takeaways
- Deal value: EPR Properties will acquire seven parks for approximately $331 million in cash (gross transaction value noted at $342 million).
- Parks included: Michigan’s Adventure; Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston; Six Flags Great Escape; Six Flags La Ronde; Six Flags St. Louis; Valleyfair; Worlds of Fun.
- Operations: Parks will continue normal operations and all season passes will be honored through the 2026 season.
- Purpose: Six Flags will use net proceeds to pay down debt and focus capital and leadership on higher-return properties.
Deal details and timeline
On March 4, 2026, Six Flags announced definitive agreements to divest seven regional parks. The company said the transaction is expected to close by late Q1 or early Q2 2026, subject to customary closing conditions and approvals, and that parks will remain open on their regular schedules while the transaction closes.
For the official Six Flags announcement, see the company release.
Parks sold
The seven parks included in the sale are:
- Michigan’s Adventure (Muskegon, MI)
- Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston (Galveston, TX)
- Six Flags Great Escape (Queensbury, NY)
- Six Flags La Ronde (Montreal, QC)
- Six Flags St. Louis (Eureka, MO)
- Valleyfair (Shakopee, MN)
- Worlds of Fun (Kansas City, MO)
Financial picture and rationale
EPR reported a gross transaction value of $342 million, which includes roughly $315 million funded by EPR and additional contributions expected from tenants for working capital and improvements. EPR underwrote the assets at a 2.0x coverage and described the portfolio as high-quality experiential real estate in established regional markets.
Six Flags said the seven parks collectively hosted about 4.5 million guests in 2025, generating roughly $260 million in net revenue and about $45 million in adjusted EBITDA. Six Flags intends to use cash proceeds, after taxes and transaction expenses, to reduce outstanding debt and modestly improve leverage metrics.
Read the EPR Properties investor announcement for details from the buyer’s side.
Executive comments
John Reilly, Six Flags President and CEO: “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.”
Gregory Silvers, EPR CEO: “This strategic acquisition represents a compelling opportunity to expand our attractions portfolio with high-quality experiential real estate assets in established regional markets.”
Post-sale operations and brand use
EPR said it will partner with Enchanted Parks to operate the six U.S. parks and with La Ronde Operations, Inc. (owned by Kieran Burke) to operate the Montreal property. EPR will acquire the non-Six Flags brand assets and will hold rights to use the Six Flags name through the end of 2026 under transition terms.
The companies emphasized continuity: parks will remain open on usual schedules and all existing season passes, including multi-park privileges, will be honored through the 2026 operating season.
Implications for the High Desert, California
Although none of the sold parks are located in California, the transaction matters to the High Desert economy because Six Flags will seek to strengthen its balance sheet and concentrate investment on higher-return properties. That could mean more stable or increased capital for core Southern California parks that High Desert residents visit, or conversely, a reallocation that reduces investment in some regional sites.
Key local considerations:
- Economic: A stronger Six Flags balance sheet may support maintenance, new attractions or marketing at flagship parks that draw High Desert visitors.
- Jobs: Near-term continuity reduces disruption for seasonal employees and family recreation; longer-term staffing changes remain possible under new operators.
- Local revenue: Municipal sales taxes, vendor contracts and tourism-related spending could shift with changing visitation patterns.
- Public safety: The promise to maintain operations and honor passes should preserve standards in the near term; residents should monitor any operational or staffing announcements.
What this means for guests, employees and communities
Guests: Tickets and season passes will be recognized through the 2026 season; operations should be largely transparent to visitors during the transition.
Employees: Initial statements emphasize continuity of operations, but long-term staffing and management changes are possible under new operators.
Communities: The parks remain major tourism draws and employers. Local officials and businesses should monitor visitor patterns in 2026 to adjust marketing, staffing and services.
Reporting notes and timeline
The agreements are subject to customary closing conditions and approvals and are expected to close by late Q1 or early Q2 2026. Reporting draws from company releases, investor announcements and regional media outlets covering affected parks.
Sources and reporting
- Six Flags press release and filings (Business Wire)
- EPR Properties investor announcement
- WRGB/CBS6 Albany coverage
- KGAN/CBS regional coverage (CBS2 Iowa link)
- CBS News Minnesota (Valleyfair coverage)
Practical takeaways:
- If you hold a season pass, it will still be honored through the 2026 season — keep receipts and follow updates from Six Flags or the new operators.
- High Desert families planning trips should monitor investment and promotion news for nearby Six Flags parks as the company concentrates on higher-return properties.
- Local leaders and businesses should track visitor patterns in 2026 to adjust marketing, staffing and services if visitation shifts.
