Six Flags Forecasts Lower Fourth-Quarter Earnings
The theme park operator projects same-park adjusted EBITDA of $140 million to $150 million after a fatal ride accident and a weak October.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Theme Parks
Six Flags forecast fourth-quarter same-park adjusted EBITDA of $140 million to $150 million, down from $167 million a year earlier. The company reported a third-quarter net loss of $366.1 million after $687.7 million in non-cash impairment charges.
Why it matters
The forecast reflects the financial effect of a fatal accident on Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia in October, which led to ride closures and below-plan attendance and revenue. The outlook shows how a single safety incident can ripple through a park company's results across multiple parks.
Six Flags forecasts fourth-quarter same-park adjusted EBITDA of $140 million to $150 million, against $167 million a year earlier, with about 60 additional operating days from the return of Holiday in the Park winter events. The review of ride safety across its portfolio has not yet reported findings.
The players
Six Flags
Six Flags is a major American regional theme park operator that runs parks across the United States and reports publicly traded financial results.
Carowinds
Carowinds is a theme park straddling the North Carolina and South Carolina state line that operates Six Flags-owned attractions.
Kings Island
Kings Island is a theme park near Mason, Ohio, that is one of the largest parks in the Six Flags portfolio.
The details
Six Flags said October fell short of its plan because of unfavorable weather on several early-month weekends and the accident-related ride closures. The company launched a safety review of its entire portfolio with independent engineering and inspection specialists and temporarily closed similar attractions at Carowinds and Kings Island.
Timeline
October 2026: Fatal Goliath accident at Six Flags Over Georgia; early-month bad weather hurts attendance.
Oct. 12, 2026: Six Flags stock falls more than 10% in after-hours trading following the accident.
Sept. 27, 2026: Six Flags' third quarter ends.
Q4 2026: Company forecasts EBITDA of $140M-$150M and about 60 extra operating days.
Season Trajectory
The reported 11.0% revenue decline mostly reflects eight parks Six Flags no longer operates, while same-park revenue rose 1.4%. The fourth-quarter forecast therefore measures the remaining portfolio after its post-divestiture restructuring.
Guests planning Six Flags visits this winter should expect the return of Holiday in the Park events, which adds about 60 operating days versus last year. Park-specific ride availability may still vary while the safety review continues.
The takeaway
Ride safety incidents can quickly alter both attendance and investor expectations, so watch for findings from the company's portfolio-wide review. Season-pass holders and visitors should check individual attraction status before planning a trip.
Further reading
For more on how parks handle ride safety and seasonal attendance, browse the Theme Parks section.
