Six Flags Entertainment Corporation has corrected a statement regarding the opening timeline for its new theme park in Saudi Arabia. An initial press release suggested a 2026 debut for Six Flags Qiddiya City, but the company later clarified it remains committed to a 2025 opening, creating uncertainty around the high-profile project's schedule.
The confusion arose from an announcement detailing the year-end departure of Executive Chairman Selim Bassoul. The incident places additional scrutiny on the company as it navigates leadership changes and prepares to launch a park central to its international growth strategy.
Key Takeaways
- Six Flags issued a press release stating its Qiddiya City park would open in the first half of 2026.
- The company quickly retracted the statement, reaffirming its commitment to a 2025 opening date.
- The error was part of an announcement about Executive Chairman Selim Bassoul stepping down on December 31, 2025.
- Six Flags Qiddiya City is a major project featuring the world's tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster.
- The situation raises questions about the project's timeline and company communications amid other corporate challenges.
Leadership Transition at Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation announced last week that Selim Bassoul will step down from his role as Executive Chairman at the end of the year. His departure is scheduled for December 31, 2025.
Despite leaving his chairman position, Bassoul will not be severing ties with the company completely. According to the announcement, he will continue to serve as a consultant. His advisory role is specifically tied to the completion and opening of the new Six Flags Qiddiya City park in Saudi Arabia.
This leadership change follows other significant shifts within the company. The departure of former CEO Richard Zimmerman and reports of other experienced park presidents leaving have created a period of transition for the theme park operator.
Conflicting Timelines for Qiddiya City Opening
The announcement of Bassoul's departure inadvertently created confusion about one of the company's most anticipated projects. The initial press release stated that Bassoul's consultancy would last through the opening of the Saudi park, which it indicated would occur in the first half of 2026.
This detail was quickly identified as significant, as it suggested a delay for the park, which had been expected to open sooner. However, Six Flags representatives later contacted media outlets to retract the 2026 timeline. They stated the information was included in error and that the company remains on track for a 2025 opening for Six Flags Qiddiya City.
Corporate communications, especially press releases involving dates and executive transitions, are typically reviewed by multiple departments, including legal and public relations. An error regarding the opening date of a flagship international project is unusual and draws attention to the company's internal processes.
The company has not provided a specific explanation for how the incorrect date was included in the official document. The correction has shifted the focus to whether the ambitious 2025 deadline can be met, with less than three months remaining in the year.
The Significance of the Qiddiya Project
Six Flags Qiddiya City is not just another theme park; it is a cornerstone of a massive new entertainment and tourism hub being developed near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is a key component of the kingdom's Saudi Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from oil and attract international tourists.
The park's main attraction, Falcons Flight, is being built by Intamin and is designed to break three world records. It is set to become the world's tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster upon completion.
For Six Flags, a successful launch in Saudi Arabia represents a crucial step in its global expansion. The project is expected to provide a significant boost in revenue and enhance the company's international reputation. The park's design and attractions are intended to set a new standard for theme parks in the region.
Current Project Status
Reports from the region suggest that while major ride construction is progressing, with some attractions already in the testing phase, other elements of the park are still heavily under construction. Landscaping, theming, and surrounding infrastructure, including a hotel, are reportedly far from complete.
While state-backed construction projects in the Middle East are known for their ability to progress rapidly with significant financial investment, the remaining work presents a challenge for a year-end opening. The guest experience in a theme park relies heavily on atmosphere and completed surroundings, not just operational rides.
Company Credibility and Future Outlook
The public correction of a key project timeline puts Six Flags in a difficult position. The company's credibility with investors, media, and fans is now closely tied to meeting the self-imposed 2025 deadline for Qiddiya City.
Industry observers note that opening an incomplete park could be more damaging to the company's brand than announcing a managed delay. An outdoor park in Saudi Arabia requires a high level of atmospheric design and guest comfort to be successful.
This situation unfolds against a backdrop of other challenges for Six Flags. The company has faced delays on several domestic projects in the United States and is navigating a period of uncertainty regarding its long-term leadership. A successful and timely launch of the Qiddiya park would provide a much-needed morale and reputational boost.
Conversely, failing to open a complete and fully realized park by December 31, 2025, could amplify existing concerns among fans and investors about the company's direction and execution capabilities. All eyes are now on Qiddiya City to see if Six Flags can deliver on its promise.
