One of Six Flags' iconic theme parks is saying goodbye after 50 years of thrills
At Six Flags' Investor Day, CFO Brian Witherow confirmed that the iconic park is slated to close after the 2027 season—unless the company chooses to extend its lease, which, by his own words, is "incredibly unlikely." Translation: come October 2027, after the final Halloween Haunt, the gates may close for good.
The timing hits harder knowing the park is about to mark its 50th season in 2026. Since opening in 1976, Great America has been a cornerstone of summer breaks, first dates and dizzying roller coaster memories for generations of Californians.
For decades, the park's mix of family-friendly charm and pulse-pounding rides like Gold Striker, RailBlazer and Flight Deck kept fans coming back. It even had its Hollywood moments, popping up in Beverly Hills Cop III and Getting Even with Dad. But nostalgia doesn't pay the bills.
Six Flags' leadership was blunt: Great America, along with Maryland's Six Flags America (set to close in 2025), ranks low in profit margins. That's the harsh math behind the decision.
On the bright side, fans still have a few summers left to squeeze in those last spins on the Grizzly or soak up the sun in the water park. The park will stay open through its 2027 season, so there's time to plan one more trip—or three.
Once it closes, the Santa Clara skyline could lose the familiar silhouette of coaster tracks and drop towers. It's a blow for locals, coaster enthusiasts and anyone who ever spent a childhood afternoon racing from ride to ride.
For now, the countdown to goodbye has begun. If Great America really does close its gates in 2027, it'll mark the end of a half-century run—a reminder that even the most beloved institutions aren't immune to shifting economics. Start planning that farewell visit now.
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One of Six Flags' iconic theme parks is saying goodbye after 50 years of thrills
Six Flags California's Great America in Santa Clara may soon be history. At Six Flags' Investor Day, CFO Brian Witherow confirmed that the iconic park is slated to close after the 2027 season—unless the company chooses to extend its lease, which, by his own words, is "incredibly unlikely." Translation: come October 2027, after the final Halloween Haunt, the gates may close for good. The timing hits harder knowing the park is about to mark its 50th season in 2026. Since opening in 1976, Great America has been a cornerstone of summer breaks, first dates and dizzying roller coaster memories for generations of Californians. For decades, the park's mix of family-friendly charm and pulse-pounding rides like Gold Striker, RailBlazer and Flight Deck kept fans coming back. It even had its Hollywood moments, popping up in Beverly Hills Cop III and Getting Even with Dad. But nostalgia doesn't pay the bills. Six Flags' leadership was blunt: Great America, along with Maryland's Six Flags America (set to close in 2025), ranks low in profit margins. That's the harsh math behind the decision. On the bright side, fans still have a few summers left to squeeze in those last spins on the Grizzly or soak up the sun in the water park. The park will stay open through its 2027 season, so there's time to plan one more trip—or three. Once it closes, the Santa Clara skyline could lose the familiar silhouette of coaster tracks and drop towers. It's a blow for locals, coaster enthusiasts and anyone who ever spent a childhood afternoon racing from ride to ride. For now, the countdown to goodbye has begun. If Great America really does close its gates in 2027, it'll mark the end of a half-century run—a reminder that even the most beloved institutions aren't immune to shifting economics. Start planning that farewell visit now.
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