Six Flags Entertainment Corporation Reports 2026 First Quarter Results
- Season off to solid start with year-to-date attendance through the end of April up 4% on a same-park basis(4)
- Active pass base up 6% through the end of April on a same-park basis
First Quarter 2026 Results
As compared to the first quarter of 2025:
-
Net revenues increased 12% to
$225.6 million .
- Attendance increased 4% to 2.9 million visits.
-
Per capita spending
(1) increased 6% to
$69.26 , reflecting effective ticket pricing initiatives, improved ticket mix, and higher guest spending on food and beverage.
-
Net loss attributable to
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation totaled$269 million , as compared to a loss of$220 million .
-
Adjusted EBITDA
(2)
loss for the quarter was
$123 million , a$48 million improvement from$171 million .
- Operating days totaled 369, a decrease from 393 operating days.
CEO Commentary
“We delivered meaningful year-over-year improvement in the first quarter driven by higher attendance, increased guest spending, and disciplined execution,” said
Reilly continued, “Our objective for 2026 is to capitalize on our learnings and the improvements we have implemented over the past year to build on our momentum and progress. We have positioned our parks well to capture peak season demand through new entertainment offerings and a relentless focus on operational excellence to improve the guest experience. We remain mindful of broader macroeconomic factors, the narrow operating windows that shape our business, weather and holiday timing variability, and the potential for a more promotional environment in season pass and membership sales to create pressure on admissions yield and mix. We also recognize that rebuilding and sustaining the active pass base will remain important as we move through the balance of the selling season.
Reilly concluded, “Even with the encouraging start to the year, our most important operating periods are ahead. We are excited to build on our momentum, particularly as we enter the 2026 summer season.”
Summarized First Quarter Results
Please note: Six Flags typically operates at a Net Loss and Adjusted EBITDA loss in the first quarter because most of its seasonal parks are closed.
During the first quarter of 2026, the Company entertained approximately 2.9 million guests, and generated net revenues of
The
Operating costs and expenses in the first quarter of 2026 decreased
Balance Sheet and Liquidity Highlights
As of
Deferred revenues, including amounts classified as held for sale, totaled
Total Liquidity was
Net debt
(3) totaled
April Update
Results through the end of April, which normalizes for the timing shift between years of the Easter and Spring Break holidays, were solid. Through
During the month of April, sales of season passes and memberships were also solid and in line with expectations. The Company was encouraged by early response to enhancements in its pass and membership offerings, including expanded benefits and access to more parks for certain products. As of
Leadership Transition
In a separate news release issued today, Six Flags announced the appointment of
Conference Call
As previously announced,
Investors and all other interested parties can access a live, listen-only audio webcast of the call on the
A digital recording of the conference call will be available for replay by phone starting at approximately
About
Footnotes:
|
(1) |
Per capita spending, admissions per capita spending, in-park product per capita spending, and out-of-park revenues are non-GAAP financial measures. See the attached reconciliation table and related footnote for the calculation of these metrics. These metrics are used by management as major factors in significant operational decisions as they are primary drivers of financial and operational performance, measuring demand, pricing, and consumer behavior. |
|
|
(2) |
Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement computed in accordance with GAAP. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a meaningful measure of park-level operating profitability and uses it for measuring returns on capital investments, evaluating potential acquisitions, determining awards under incentive compensation plans, and calculating compliance with certain loan covenants. For additional information regarding Adjusted EBITDA, including how the Company defines and uses this measure, see the attached reconciliation table and related footnotes. |
|
|
(3) |
Net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure. See the attached reconciliation table and related footnote for the calculation of net debt. Net debt is used by the Company and investors to monitor leverage, and management believes it is meaningful for this purpose. |
|
|
(4) |
Same-park basis excludes the combined contributions of the following parks: Worlds of Fun, |
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this news release that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements as to our expectations, beliefs, goals and strategies regarding the future. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “create,” “expect,” “future,” “guidance,” “intend,” “plan,” “potential,” “seek,” “synergies,” “target,” “will,” “would,” similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words identify forward-looking statements. However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements may involve current plans, estimates, expectations and ambitions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, may be beyond our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct, that our growth and operational strategies will achieve the target results. Important risks and uncertainties that may cause such a difference and could adversely affect attendance at our parks, our future financial performance, and/or our growth strategies, and could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations or otherwise to fluctuate or decrease, include, but are not limited to: failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger, including difficulty in integrating the businesses of legacy Six Flags and legacy
This news release and prior releases are available under the News tab at https://investors.sixflags.com
(financial tables follow)
|
|
||||||||
|
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS |
||||||||
|
(In thousands) |
||||||||
|
|
|
Three months ended |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Net revenues: |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Admissions |
|
$ |
113,500 |
|
|
$ |
106,761 |
|
|
Food, merchandise and games |
|
|
78,264 |
|
|
|
65,848 |
|
|
Accommodations, extra-charge products and other |
|
|
33,863 |
|
|
|
29,448 |
|
|
|
|
|
225,627 |
|
|
|
202,057 |
|
|
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Cost of food, merchandise, and games revenues |
|
|
21,287 |
|
|
|
21,601 |
|
|
Operating expenses |
|
|
266,893 |
|
|
|
299,479 |
|
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
73,295 |
|
|
|
90,785 |
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
107,349 |
|
|
|
102,330 |
|
|
Loss on retirement of fixed assets, net |
|
|
2,435 |
|
|
|
8,098 |
|
|
Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles |
|
|
38,640 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Loss on disposal group |
|
|
27,971 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Loss on other assets |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
791 |
|
|
|
|
|
537,870 |
|
|
|
523,084 |
|
|
Operating loss |
|
|
(312,243 |
) |
|
|
(321,027 |
) |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
94,928 |
|
|
|
87,035 |
|
|
Loss on early debt extinguishment |
|
|
4,053 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Other expense (income), net |
|
|
5,739 |
|
|
|
(1,584 |
) |
|
Loss before taxes |
|
|
(416,963 |
) |
|
|
(406,478 |
) |
|
Benefit for taxes |
|
|
(148,363 |
) |
|
|
(186,760 |
) |
|
Net loss |
|
|
(268,600 |
) |
|
|
(219,718 |
) |
|
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Net loss attributable to |
|
$ |
(268,600 |
) |
|
$ |
(219,718 |
) |
|
|
|||||
|
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DATA |
|||||
|
(In thousands) |
|||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
116,510 |
|
$ |
61,512 |
|
Total assets |
$ |
7,708,879 |
|
$ |
9,163,917 |
|
Long-term debt, including current maturities: |
|
|
|
||
|
Revolving credit loans |
$ |
444,566 |
|
$ |
609,003 |
|
Term debt |
|
1,461,737 |
|
|
978,527 |
|
Notes |
|
3,449,224 |
|
|
3,660,036 |
|
|
$ |
5,355,527 |
|
$ |
5,247,566 |
|
Equity |
$ |
279,226 |
|
$ |
1,833,780 |
|
|
||||||||
|
RECONCILIATION OF MODIFIED EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA |
||||||||
|
(In thousands) |
||||||||
|
|
|
Three months ended |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Net loss |
|
$ |
(268,600 |
) |
|
$ |
(219,718 |
) |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
|
94,928 |
|
|
|
87,035 |
|
|
Benefit for taxes |
|
|
(148,363 |
) |
|
|
(186,760 |
) |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
107,349 |
|
|
|
102,330 |
|
|
EBITDA |
|
|
(214,686 |
) |
|
|
(217,113 |
) |
|
Loss on early debt extinguishment |
|
|
4,053 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Non-cash foreign currency loss (gain) |
|
|
5,139 |
|
|
|
(2,214 |
) |
|
Non-cash equity compensation expense |
|
|
3,772 |
|
|
|
17,076 |
|
|
Loss on retirement of fixed assets, net |
|
|
2,435 |
|
|
|
8,098 |
|
|
Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles |
|
|
38,640 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Loss on disposal group |
|
|
27,971 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Loss on other assets |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
791 |
|
|
Costs related to the merger (1) |
|
|
4,914 |
|
|
|
15,640 |
|
|
Other (2) |
|
|
4,723 |
|
|
|
6,932 |
|
|
Modified EBITDA (3) |
|
|
(123,039 |
) |
|
|
(170,790 |
) |
|
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA (3) |
|
$ |
(123,039 |
) |
|
$ |
(170,790 |
) |
|
(1) |
Consists of integration costs related to the merger, including third-party consulting costs, costs to integrate information technology systems, integration team salaries and benefits, retention bonuses, maintenance costs to update Former Six Flags parks to |
|
|
(2) |
Consists of certain costs as defined in the Company's credit agreement. These costs are added back to net loss to calculate Modified EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and include certain legal and consulting expenses; severance costs; cost of goods sold recorded to align inventory standards following the Mergers; certain costs at a combined amusement and water park located in |
|
|
(3) |
Modified EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items, and adjustments as defined in the Company's credit agreement. Adjusted EBITDA represents Modified EBITDA less net loss attributable to non-controlling interests. Management includes both measures to disclose the effect of non-controlling interests. Management believes Modified EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are meaningful measures of park-level operating profitability, and uses them for measuring returns on capital investments, evaluating potential acquisitions, determining awards under incentive compensation plans, and calculating compliance with certain loan covenants. Adjusted EBITDA is widely used by analysts, investors and comparable companies in the industry to evaluate operating performance on a consistent basis, as well as more easily compare results with those of other companies in the industry. Modified EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are provided as supplemental measures of the Company's operating results and are not intended to be a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities as defined under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, Modified EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. |
|
|
|||
|
CALCULATION OF NET DEBT |
|||
|
(In thousands) |
|||
|
|
|
||
|
Long-term debt, including current maturities |
$ |
5,355,527 |
|
|
Plus: Debt issuance costs and original issue discount |
|
55,675 |
|
|
Less: Acquisition fair value layers |
|
(22,822 |
) |
|
Less: Cash and cash equivalents |
|
(116,510 |
) |
|
Net debt (1) |
$ |
5,271,870 |
|
|
(1) |
Net debt is a non-GAAP financial measure used by investors to monitor leverage. The measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. |
|
|
||||||
|
KEY OPERATIONAL MEASURES |
||||||
|
(In thousands, except per capita and operating day amounts) |
||||||
|
|
|
Three months ended |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Attendance |
|
|
2,923 |
|
|
2,818 |
|
Per capita spending (1) |
|
$ |
69.26 |
|
$ |
65.40 |
|
Admissions per capita spending (1) |
|
$ |
38.82 |
|
$ |
37.72 |
|
In-park product per capita spending (1) |
|
$ |
30.44 |
|
$ |
27.68 |
|
Out-of-park revenues (1) |
|
$ |
28,799 |
|
$ |
23,916 |
|
Operating days |
|
|
369 |
|
|
393 |
|
(1) |
Per capita spending is calculated as revenues generated within the Company's amusement parks and separately gated outdoor water parks along with related parking revenues and online transaction fees charged to customers (in-park revenues), divided by total attendance. Admissions per capita spending is calculated as revenues generated for admission to the Company's amusement parks and separately gated water parks along with related parking revenues and online transaction fees charged to customers (in-park admissions revenues) divided by total attendance. In-park product per capita spending is calculated as all other revenues generated within the Company's amusement parks and separately gated water parks, including food and beverage, merchandise, games and extra-charge offerings (in-park product revenues) divided by total attendance. Out-of-park revenues are defined as revenues from resorts, out-of-park food and merchandise locations, sponsorships, international agreements and all other out-of-park operations. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company renamed in-park per capita spending to per capita spending and renamed per capita spending on in-park products to in-park product per capita spending. The methodology for calculating these metrics remains unchanged, and therefore any previously reported metrics that are renamed to corresponding metrics remain unchanged. |
|
|
In-park revenues, per capita spending, in-park admissions revenues, admissions per capita spending, in-park product revenues, in-park product per capita spending, and out-of-park revenues are non-GAAP measures. These metrics are used by management as major factors in significant operational decisions as they are primary drivers of financial and operational performance, measuring demand, pricing, and consumer behavior. A reconciliation of in-park revenues, including in-park admissions revenues and in-park product revenues, and out-of-park revenues to net revenues for the periods presented is in the table below. |
|
|
|
Three months ended |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
In-park admissions revenues |
|
|
113,441 |
|
|
|
106,311 |
|
|
In-park product revenues |
|
|
88,977 |
|
|
|
78,004 |
|
|
In-park revenues |
|
|
202,418 |
|
|
|
184,315 |
|
|
Out-of-park revenues |
|
|
28,799 |
|
|
|
23,916 |
|
|
Concessionaire remittances |
|
|
(5,590 |
) |
|
|
(6,174 |
) |
|
Net revenues |
|
$ |
225,627 |
|
|
$ |
202,057 |
|
SELECTED 2025 QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
FOR THE CONSOLIDATED COMPANY AND FOR SPECIFIED PARKS
WITH RELATED RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA
(In millions, except operating days)
The below table includes selected quarterly and annual financial and other data for fiscal 2025: (1) for the consolidated company (or the "
|
|
Three months ended |
|
Twelve months ended |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Consolidated Company Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Attendance |
|
3 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
Net revenue |
$ |
202 |
|
|
$ |
930 |
|
|
$ |
1,318 |
|
|
$ |
650 |
|
|
$ |
3,100 |
|
|
Net (loss) income |
$ |
(220 |
) |
|
$ |
(75 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,163 |
) |
|
$ |
(91 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,549 |
) |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
(171 |
) |
|
$ |
243 |
|
|
$ |
555 |
|
|
$ |
165 |
|
|
$ |
792 |
|
|
Operating days |
|
393 |
|
|
|
1,993 |
|
|
|
2,573 |
|
|
|
779 |
|
|
|
5,738 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Specified Parks Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Attendance |
|
— |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
Net revenue |
$ |
6 |
|
|
$ |
86 |
|
|
$ |
161 |
|
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
290 |
|
|
Net (loss) income |
$ |
(39 |
) |
|
$ |
(13 |
) |
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
(19 |
) |
|
$ |
(34 |
) |
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
(28 |
) |
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
67 |
|
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
47 |
|
|
Operating days |
|
— |
|
|
|
334 |
|
|
|
505 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
|
916 |
|
As disclosed above, Modified EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, other non-cash items, and adjustments as defined in the Company's credit agreement. Adjusted EBITDA represents Modified EBITDA less net loss attributable to non-controlling interests. Management believes Modified EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are meaningful measures of park-level operating profitability, and uses them for measuring returns on capital investments, evaluating potential acquisitions, determining awards under incentive compensation plans, and calculating compliance with certain loan covenants. Adjusted EBITDA is widely used by analysts, investors and comparable companies in the industry to evaluate operating performance on a consistent basis, as well as more easily compare results with those of other companies in the industry. Modified EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are provided as supplemental measures of the Company's operating results and are not intended to be a substitute for operating income, net income or cash flows from operating activities as defined under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, Modified EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
SELECTED 2025 QUARTERLY AND ANNUAL FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA
FOR THE CONSOLIDATED COMPANY AND FOR SPECIFIED PARKS
WITH RELATED RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED EBITDA - CONTINUED
(In millions)
The below table reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to Net (Loss) Income for the
|
|
Three months ended |
|
Twelve months ended |
||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Consolidated Company Reconciliation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Net loss |
$ |
(220 |
) |
|
$ |
(75 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,163 |
) |
|
$ |
(91 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,549 |
) |
|
Interest expense, net |
|
87 |
|
|
|
92 |
|
|
|
91 |
|
|
|
90 |
|
|
|
360 |
|
|
(Benefit) provision for taxes |
|
(187 |
) |
|
|
76 |
|
|
|
(38 |
) |
|
|
(15 |
) |
|
|
(164 |
) |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
102 |
|
|
|
135 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
121 |
|
|
|
486 |
|
|
EBITDA |
|
(218 |
) |
|
|
228 |
|
|
|
(982 |
) |
|
|
105 |
|
|
|
(867 |
) |
|
Non-cash foreign currency (gain) loss |
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(20 |
) |
|
|
7 |
|
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
|
(23 |
) |
|
Non-cash equity compensation expense |
|
17 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
64 |
|
|
Loss on retirement of fixed assets, net |
|
8 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,518 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1,518 |
|
|
Loss on other assets |
|
1 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
Costs related to the merger (1) |
|
16 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
10 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
49 |
|
|
Other (2) |
|
7 |
|
|
|
29 |
|
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
14 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Modified EBITDA |
|
(171 |
) |
|
|
268 |
|
|
|
580 |
|
|
|
165 |
|
|
|
842 |
|
|
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests |
|
— |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
50 |
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
(171 |
) |
|
$ |
243 |
|
|
$ |
555 |
|
|
$ |
165 |
|
|
$ |
792 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Specified Parks Reconciliation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
Net (loss) income |
$ |
(39 |
) |
|
$ |
(13 |
) |
|
$ |
37 |
|
|
$ |
(19 |
) |
|
$ |
(34 |
) |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
10 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
EBITDA |
|
(29 |
) |
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
29 |
|
|
Loss on retirement of fixed assets, net |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
Loss on impairment of goodwill and other intangibles |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
Costs related to the merger (1) |
|
— |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
Other (2) |
|
— |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
Modified EBITDA |
|
(28 |
) |
|
|
9 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
47 |
|
|
Net income attributable to non-controlling interests |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA |
$ |
(28 |
) |
|
$ |
9 |
|
|
$ |
67 |
|
|
$ |
(1 |
) |
|
$ |
47 |
|
|
(1) |
Consists of third-party legal and consulting transaction costs, as well as integration costs related to the merger. Integration costs include third-party consulting costs, costs to integrate information technology systems, integration team salaries and benefits, retention bonuses, maintenance costs to update legacy Six Flags parks to legacy |
|
|
(2) |
Consists of certain costs as defined in the Company's credit agreement. These costs are added back to net (loss) income to calculate Modified EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and include severance and related employer taxes and benefits; certain legal and consulting expenses; enacted cost savings initiatives related to overhead and administrative costs incurred by legacy Six Flags, specifically for insurance premiums, legal costs and information technology costs; run-rate costs at the combination amusement and water park located in |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260507943727/en/
Investor Contact:
https://investors.sixflags.com
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edia Contact:
Source: