Six Flags is getting guests to visit more parks — but could sell others

The increase follows Six Flags’ introduction of regional season passes connecting properties that previously operated separately under the Six Flags and Cedar Fair brands. The expanded access is part of a broader effort to encourage guests to visit more parks throughout the year.

However, the company’s growing regional network comes with an interesting complication. Six Flags has already sold seven parks in 2026, and executives indicated during Thursday’s earnings call that additional transactions remain under consideration.

How Six Flags is getting guests to visit more parks

One example Reilly highlighted was Southern California, where Knott’s Berry Farm and Six Flags Magic Mountain now share regional pass access. Before the Six Flags and Cedar Fair merger, the two parks operated under separate companies with different season pass programs.

The regional pass system also connects major destinations such as Cedar Point and Kings Island in Ohio, along with Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Fiesta Texas.

The strategy appears to be gaining traction. Six Flags reported that season passholders and members accounted for 61% of third-quarter attendance, while its passholder and membership base grew approximately 7% year over year.

Six Flags also introduced memberships at eight parks that previously did not offer them during summer 2026.

Reilly said the increased travel between parks is no accident. Six Flags’ marketing and commercial teams are deliberately encouraging regional visitation, supported by more personalized marketing and efforts to encourage guests to upgrade their passes.

Asked whether growing passholder attendance could affect single-day ticket sales, Reilly said the company’s priority is maximizing total revenue. He expressed confidence that Six Flags can grow both businesses, even as season passholders account for a larger share of visits.

The company also intentionally delayed launching its 2027 season passes by several weeks, accepting slower early sales in hopes of generating more revenue from those passes over time.

Where Six Flags regional passes offer more park access

• Ohio: Cedar Point and Kings Island, two major roller coaster destinations accessible through the same regional pass.
• Texas: Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, along with Schlitterbahn water parks.
• East Coast: Carowinds, Kings Dominion and Six Flags Great Adventure, connecting three major coaster destinations across multiple states.

The advantages extend beyond Southern California. In Ohio, regional passholders can visit both Cedar Point and Kings Island, two of the country’s best-known roller coaster destinations. In Texas, the regional network connects Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, along with Schlitterbahn water parks. On the East Coast, regional access brings together major destinations such as Carowinds, Kings Dominion and Six Flags Great Adventure.

Not all Six Flags parks have the same future

While Six Flags is encouraging guests to visit more of its theme parks, the company is also evaluating which properties belong in its long-term portfolio.

During the Nov. 5 earnings call, Reilly indicated that discussions about potential additional transactions are underway now that most of the operating season has passed.

Reilly said Six Flags has spent considerable time evaluating and categorizing its parks, identifying which properties are most critical to its regional network. The company is also considering how potential sales could help reduce debt.

Six Flags has already sold seven parks in 2026, but additional sales remain possible. When an analyst asked whether the company had a target number of parks it ultimately wanted to operate, Reilly declined to provide one.

The company is also taking a more selective approach to capital investment. Reilly emphasized that spending decisions will reflect the needs and opportunities of individual parks, rather than treating every property identically. Safety and maintenance remain priorities throughout the network.

For season passholders, the contrast is significant. Six Flags is promoting the advantages of visiting multiple parks with one pass while continuing to evaluate which destinations will remain part of that network in the years ahead.