Six Flags Entertainment Corporation reports 12% Q1 revenue growth as its restructured season pass strategy drives per capita spending and cross-park visitation.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation reported net revenue of $225.6 million for Q1 2026. That marks a 12% year-on-year increase. Attendance rose 4% to 2.9 million visits. The company published results on 7 May, covering the period ending 29 March 2026.
The gain came despite 24 fewer operating days than in Q1 2025. Adjusted EBITDA improved by $48 million year-on-year. The company posted a net loss — Q1 is its structurally weakest trading period. Its share price rose 17% on the day of the announcement.
The season pass strategy is producing early returns. Per capita spending rose across the board — admissions up 3%, in-park food, beverage and merchandise up 10%. Dave Hoffman, chief accounting officer and interim finance lead, attributed both to higher conversion rates. A migration toward higher-value pass products added further momentum, he said.
A structural change for 2026 is regional access across select pass tiers. The Gold Pass now gives holders entry to multiple parks within a region. Chief executive John Reilly cited Knott’s Berry Farm passholders visiting Six Flags Magic Mountain as early evidence of its appeal. The pricing lift comes from guests trading up rather than from headline price increases.
“We delivered meaningful year-over-year improvement in the first quarter driven by higher attendance, increased guest spending, and disciplined execution,” said John Reilly, president and chief executive of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. “We are seeing positive early response to changes in our season pass and membership offerings, including expanded regional access to more parks on certain products, which we believe are supporting increased guest engagement and a more favorable product mix.”
As of 3 May 2026, the active pass base stood at approximately five million units. That represents a 6% increase on a same-park basis year-on-year. Year-to-date attendance through that date reached 5.7 million guests across 694 operating days. The comparable 2025 period saw 5.4 million guests across 722 days.
Reilly acknowledged that Q1 is not where the season is won or lost. “We also recognize that rebuilding and sustaining the active pass base will remain important as we move through the balance of the selling season. Even with the encouraging start to the year, our most important operating periods are ahead.”
Image: Six Flags
