Get All Access for $5/mo

Six Flags Merges With Rival in Blockbuster Amusement Park Deal The combined company will oversee 27 different amusement parks in North America.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Getty Images
People ride the new Wonder Woman Flightat Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, CA T

The amusement park industry just announced a major deal that's sure to be bigger than most rollercoaster drops.

Cedar Fair and Six Flags Entertainment agreed on a merger worth an estimated $8 billion on Thursday that will tie together Six Flags's iconic parks with those under the Cedar Fair license, which include popular destinations such as Cedar Point in Ohio, Carowinds in the Carolinas (you can stand in both states at the same time on park grounds), and Kings Dominion in Doswell, Virginia.

"The combination of Six Flags and Cedar Fair will redefine our guests' amusement park experience as we combine the best of both companies," said Selim Bassoul, president and CEO of Six Flags, in a company statement.

Related: Billionaire CEO Flies Over 1,000 Employees and Their Families to Tokyo Disneyland for Concerts, Parties, and Park Access

The new deal will umbrella 27 amusement parks, 15 water parks, and nine individual resort proprieties in North America.

"Our merger with Six Flags will bring together two of North America's iconic amusement park companies to establish a highly diversified footprint and a more robust operating model to enhance park offerings and performance," said Richard Zimmerman, president and CEO of Cedar Fair. "Together, we will have an expanded and complementary portfolio of attractive assets and intellectual property to deliver engaging entertainment experiences for guests.

As both companies are publicly traded, it's estimated that Cedar Fair shareholders will own roughly 51.2% of all combined company shares while Six Flags shareholders will own 48.8% of shares.

Each company will retain its Intellectual property for associated brands and partnerships, such as DC Comics and Looney Tunes.

Related: Phone Flies Off Roller Coaster, Rider Left Bloody, Concussed

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Leadership

Why Your AI Strategy Will Fail Without the Right Talent in Place

Using fractional AI experts through specialized platforms allows companies to access top talent cost-effectively, drive innovation and scale agile strategies for growth.

Business News

Here's What the CPI Report Means for Your Wallet, According to JPMorgan and EY Experts

Most experts agree that there will be another rate cut next week.

Productivity

6 Habits That Help Successful People Maximize Their Time

There aren't enough hours in the day, but these tips will make them feel slightly more productive.

Business News

These Companies Offer the Best Work-Life Balance, According to Employees

The ranking is based on Glassdoor ratings and reviews.

Science & Technology

Use This Framework to Successfully Integrate AI Into Your Business Operations

Here's how to ensure both innovation and compliance when using AI in your organization.