A sweeping restructuring is underway in the theme park world as the Six Flags amusement parks sale moves forward, marking a significant shift for one of North America’s most recognizable entertainment brands.

In a move that could reshape the company’s footprint across the continent, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced Thursday that it will sell seven theme parks across the United States and Canada, signaling a strategic pivot toward a leaner portfolio focused on growth.

Seven Parks Headed to New Ownership

The company confirmed that the following parks are part of the Six Flags amusement parks sale:

• Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon

• Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston in Galveston

• Six Flags Great Escape in Queensbury

• Six Flags La Ronde in Montreal

• Six Flags St. Louis in Eureka

• Valleyfair near Minneapolis

• Worlds of Fun in Kansas City

Despite the ownership change, Six Flags said all parks will operate normally through the 2026 season, and season passes and active memberships will remain valid during the transition.

Company officials emphasized that visitors should expect “no significant impact on guests” while the handover unfolds.

Real Estate Giant Steps In

The buyer behind the sweeping acquisition is EPR Properties, a real estate investment trust based in Kansas City.

EPR already owns a diverse portfolio of entertainment and leisure assets, including movie theaters, ski resorts, and amusement parks.

Under the agreement, the company will partner with different operators to manage the parks moving forward. For the Canadian location, operations will be handled by La Ronde Operations Inc., while the six U.S. parks will be run by Enchanted Parks.

Still, what these parks will ultimately look like after leaving the Six Flags brand remains uncertain.

Strategic Shift Toward Growth

For Six Flags leadership, the sales represent a calculated move designed to sharpen the company’s focus.

John Reilly said the company aims to concentrate resources on parks with stronger long-term growth potential.

“By focusing our resources on the parks that we believe have the highest growth potential, we expect to drive operating leverage, expand margins and accelerate our cash flow generation,” Reilly said in a company statement.

The restructuring reflects a broader strategy to improve profitability and refine the company’s park portfolio.

Clues From Trademark Filings

Earlier signals of the shift surfaced in January 2025, when trademark filings reviewed by PEOPLE revealed that Enchanted Parks Holdings LLC submitted nine applications to the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The filings covered trademarks tied to amusement park and theme park services as well as branded clothing.

The locations listed in those filings appeared to correspond closely with several of the parks now included in the Six Flags sale, including:

• Six Flags St. Louis

• Michigan’s Adventure

• Six Flags Great Escape

• Worlds of Fun and Ocean of Fun in Kansas City

• Schlitterbahn waterpark in Galveston

Previous Closures Signaled Trouble

The portfolio shake-up follows a series of difficult decisions for the company.

In November 2025, Six Flags permanently closed Six Flags America and the adjacent Hurricane Harbor Bowie after operating for 50 years.

The sprawling park once featured more than 100 attractions, including rides, shows, slides, and roller coasters.

Its history stretched back decades: the property originally opened in 1974 as The Wildlife Preserve, a drive-through safari park, before eventually being converted into a Six Flags theme park in 1999.

Less than two weeks after the closure announcement, company leaders hinted that additional “underperforming” parks could be sold or shuttered as revenue failed to meet expectations.

Revenue Pressures Drive Strategy Changes

At the time, then-CEO Richard Zimmerman acknowledged that the company’s efforts to boost attendance had fallen short.

“Our efforts to stimulate demand did not achieve the desired returns,” Zimmerman said, noting that increased advertising spending earlier in the year also weighed on the company’s third-quarter financial results.

He explained that the company had pursued a strategy focused on investing ahead of attendance growth to strengthen guest satisfaction across its park portfolio.

For now, the Six Flags amusement parks sale marks another major step in the company’s evolving strategy—one that could reshape the amusement park landscape across North America for years to come.