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Six Flags Entertainment Corporation: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 August 2026: press release. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Same-park Adjusted EBITDA rose 7%: Same-park Adjusted EBITDA was $249 million, up $16 million from $233 million. Management said the improvement reflects performance from the current operating portfolio. Source
  • Same-park attendance up 4%: Same-park attendance rose 449,000 visits, supported mainly by season pass visitation. Management cited continued strength in its season pass and membership programs. Source
  • Active pass base grew 6%: The active pass base was up 6% on a same-park basis. Management calls the number of guests eligible to visit an important leading indicator of attendance. Source
  • Same-park per capita spending slipped: Same-park per capita spending was $62.88, down $0.50 or 1% from $63.38. Management attributes the decline mainly to lower admissions spending from pass benefits and cross-park visits. Source
  • Larger share of revenue reached earnings: Management said a larger portion of incremental revenue translated into higher earnings during the quarter, from revenue growth alongside expense discipline. Source
  • Net debt at $4.9 billion: Net debt was $4.9 billion, calculated as total debt of $5.0 billion less cash of $135 million. Revolving loans fell to $78 million from $445 million at March 29. Source
  • Portfolio focused on high-potential parks: Management said the more focused portfolio consolidates management effort and resources toward parks with high potential for returns. Source

“Our more focused operating portfolio generated higher attendance, net revenues and Adjusted EBITDA, demonstrating that our portfolio actions and performance improvement initiatives are delivering improved financial results.”

John Reilly, Six Flags President and CEO

What changed from last quarter

  • Ended: Divestiture of seven non-core parks is complete. Those parks are excluded from the current operating portfolio, and results are shown on a same-park basis. Source
  • New: The membership model was expanded to six additional parks in June 2026. Source
  • New: The call participants list Ash Walia as CFO. The first-quarter release had named Dave Hoffman as interim finance lead. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Same-park Adjusted EBITDA rose 7%: Same-park Adjusted EBITDA was $249 million, up $16 million from $233 million. Management said the improvement reflects performance from the current operating portfolio. Source
  • Same-park net revenues up 2.4%: Same-park net revenues were $864 million, up $20 million from $844 million. Higher attendance and food and extra-charge spending offset lower admissions spending. Source
  • Reported revenue fell on park comparison: Reported net revenues were $865 million, down 7.0%. The 2025 comparison includes eight parks the company no longer operated in 2026. Source
  • Net loss attributable to company larger: Net loss attributable to Six Flags was $203 million, compared with $100 million a year earlier. Same-park net loss was $194 million, against $87 million. Source
  • Operating days fell about 3%: Same-park operating days were 1,615 against 1,659. Management also cited an earlier spring break that fell in the first quarter this year. Source

Attendance and season pass base

  • Same-park attendance up 4%: Same-park attendance rose 449,000 visits, supported mainly by season pass visitation. Management cited continued strength in its season pass and membership programs. Source
  • Active pass base grew 6%: The active pass base was up 6% on a same-park basis. Management calls the number of guests eligible to visit an important leading indicator of attendance. Source
  • Season-to-date pass sales up 7%: The CEO said season-to-date pass sales rose 7%. Sales mix shifted toward higher-tier passes that offer greater access and flexibility. Source
  • Membership counts above prior year: Membership counts beyond the initial 12-month term exceeded the prior-year level, at a higher average price, according to management. Source

“While important work remains, the second quarter results and leading indicators give us increasing confidence in the operating priorities we have established.”

John Reilly, Six Flags President and CEO

Per capita spending and pricing

  • Same-park per capita spending slipped: Same-park per capita spending was $62.88, down $0.50 or 1% from $63.38. Management attributes the decline mainly to lower admissions spending from pass benefits and cross-park visits. Source
  • Paid admission prices held steady: Paid admission pricing was stable year over year. Guests moved to higher-tier season pass products that give greater access and flexibility. Source
  • In-park product spending rose: Same-park in-park product spending per capita was $29.27, up $0.41 from $28.86. Management pointed to food, extra-charge attractions and other in-park offerings. Source

Costs and margins

  • Same-park operating costs nearly flat: Same-park operating expenses rose only $1 million. Higher maintenance was offset by lower full-time wage and benefit expense. Source
  • Same-park SG&A up $3 million: Same-park SG&A rose $3 million, driven by full-time wages, including equity compensation and severance, plus consulting and legal costs. Lower advertising costs offset part of the increase. Source
  • Larger share of revenue reached earnings: Management said a larger portion of incremental revenue translated into higher earnings during the quarter, from revenue growth alongside expense discipline. Source
  • Reported expenses fell, SG&A rose: On a reported basis, operating expenses decreased $61 million, while SG&A increased $1 million compared with the prior-year quarter. Source

“Guests continue to respond favorably to our flexible, benefit-rich season pass and membership offerings”

John Reilly, Six Flags President and CEO

Balance sheet and liquidity

  • Net debt at $4.9 billion: Net debt was $4.9 billion, calculated as total debt of $5.0 billion less cash of $135 million. Revolving loans fell to $78 million from $445 million at March 29. Source
  • Total liquidity of $837 million: Management said proceeds from portfolio transactions were used to reduce borrowings. Liquidity included $703 million available under the revolving credit facility. Source
  • Same-park deferred revenue up 2%: Total deferred revenue was $431 million, down $30 million on a reported basis. Same-park deferred revenue rose $8 million, supported by membership and advance sales. Source

Strategy, portfolio and management

  • Portfolio focused on high-potential parks: Management said the more focused portfolio consolidates management effort and resources toward parks with high potential for returns. Source
  • Commercial strategy targets guest value: The commercial strategy aims to build a larger, more engaged guest community and greater long-term value from each guest relationship. Source
  • Marketing spend improved efficiency: Management said marketing investment improved acquisition and conversion efficiency, supporting pass sales and the active pass base. Source
  • New rides and entertainment added: The company introduced several major thrill rides, attractions and entertainment offerings during the quarter, intended to support visitation at its established parks. Source
  • Park accountability and capital discipline: Management said it is strengthening park-level accountability, sharpening commercial execution and keeping a disciplined approach to capital allocation. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 August 2026

  • Peak season is next: Management said the company is entering the most important part of its operating season. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Attendance, same-park Source13.1 million visits, up 4%
Active pass base, same-park Sourceup 6% year over year
Season-pass visitation Sourceup 10%
Operating days, same-park Source1,615 vs 1,659 prior year

Risks management discussed

  • Demand: Management acknowledged modest pressure on admissions per capita spending, which it expects its initiatives to offset with higher attendance. Source
  • Demand: An earlier spring break in the first quarter this year, rather than the second quarter, reduced second-quarter revenue against the prior year. Source
  • Financial: Management said reducing leverage remains a financial priority, with net debt of $4.9 billion at quarter-end. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management says the first half shows meaningful progress on the priorities set at the start of the year, with no timeline given. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.