Amusement Park Giants Cedar Fair and Six Flags Unite in Landmark Merger

In a groundbreaking development, Cedar Fair and Six Flags Entertainment Corporation have announced their merger, forming a formidable entity in the North American amusement park industry. This strategic move brings together two of the most prominent names in the sector, promising to reshape the landscape of theme park experiences.

We are excited to announce a strategic combination with Cedar Fair to create a leading amusement park operator. We look forward to creating an even more engaging and accessible guest experience. https://t.co/v3C9GwvLwc

— Six Flags (@SixFlags) November 2, 2023

The merger, valued at approximately $8 billion, represents a significant step forward in consolidating the resources, attractions, and operational expertise of both companies. By joining forces, Cedar Fair and Six Flags aim to enhance their competitive position in an industry known for its dynamic and evolving consumer demands, which should help them compete with popular parks like Disney, SeaWorld, and Universal Studios.

The combined entity is set to operate under the Six Flags name, but it plans to trade under Cedar Fair’s ticker symbol FUN. Both Cedar Fair and Six Flags boast a rich portfolio of beloved theme parks across North America, each with its own distinctive offerings and loyal customer base. The merger holds the promise of leveraging these strengths to provide visitors with an even more diverse and compelling array of entertainment options. Together they will control “27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and 9 resort properties across 17 states in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico,” according to Six Flags’ press release.

The merger is expected to bring about synergies in various aspects, including operational efficiencies, marketing efforts, and the development of new and innovative attractions. The companies also project that it will result in an estimated $200 million in cost savings.

“Six Flags and Cedar Fair share a strong cultural alignment, operating philosophy, and steadfast commitment to providing consumers with thrilling experiences. By combining our operational models and technology platforms, we expect to accelerate our transformation activities and unlock new potential for our parks. We are excited to unite the Cedar Fair and Six Flags teams to capitalize on the tremendous growth opportunities and operational efficiencies of our combined platform for the benefit of our guests, shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders.”

Selim Bassoul, president and CEO of Six Flags

The Cedar Fair and Six Flags merger is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Upon completion, the new entity will likely have a transformative impact on the theme park landscape, providing consumers with an even broader range of experiences and entertainment options across North America.