Why Is Six Flags Losing Visitors?

Six Flags Entertainment Corp. reported 2025 net and gross that were somewhat up of expert estimates arsenic nan amusement parkland usability useful to rebound from lackluster attendance.

Adjusted net little interest, tax, depreciation and amortization reached $792 cardinal for 2025, according to a connection Thursday, supra nan $786 cardinal statement and matching nan company’s ain lowered guidance. In its third-quarter net report, Six Flags had forecast $780 cardinal to $805 million, down from its original guidance of $1.08 cardinal to $1.12 cardinal fixed past February.

No guidance was fixed for 2026. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based institution besides reported gross of $3.1 cardinal for 2025, somewhat higher than expert estimates of $3.06 billion.

“While 2025 results fell short of our expectations, nan activity completed complete nan past twelvemonth has strengthened nan instauration of our enterprise,” Chief Executive Officer John Reilly said successful nan statement. “Over that time, we made important investments to amended our parkland infrastructures, added breathtaking caller attractions to our parks, upgraded our exertion systems, and enhanced our nutrient and beverage offerings.”

The results are nan first for Reilly arsenic Six Flags’ CEO aft nan erstwhile SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment Inc. main operating serviceman took complete from Richard Zimmerman successful December. Six Flags has struggled to trim its elevated indebtedness load aft its 2024 merger pinch Cedar Fair grounded to boost earnings. The institution sold a $1 cardinal junk enslaved successful January.

Attendance contracted successful nan 4th fourth for nan first clip since 2023, falling to 9.3 cardinal parkland visitors. That translates to $327 cardinal successful admissions revenue, a 9% driblet from a twelvemonth earlier.

The company’s observed income recognized successful nan 4th ended successful December fell 12% from a twelvemonth earlier, according to information compiled by Bloomberg Second Measure. That’s particularly stark fixed nan 4th fourth successful 2024 saw a 70% year-on-year jump successful observed sales.

The banal had mislaid 65% successful nan past 12 months arsenic of Wednesday’s close.

The study follows Walt Disney Co.’s quarterly results, which saw grounds income astatine its taxable parkland section but gave a tepid forecast for maturation successful nan 4th ending March 28 owed to request headwinds from world visitors astatine home parks. Disney’s shares fell arsenic overmuch arsenic 8% connected nan report, nan biggest intraday diminution since November. United Parks & Resorts Inc. is group to study quarterly results connected Feb. 26.

Forgash writes for Bloomberg.