Six Flags is facing another setback after announcing that California’s Great America, a historic theme park with a 50-year history, will permanently close.
The company said over the weekend that the Santa Clara attraction will cease operations after the conclusion of its 2027 season.
“For more than five decades, this Santa Clara theme park has brought people together, created family traditions and served as the backdrop for unforgettable memories,” Dave Vosejpka, manager of California’s Great America, said in a press release.
“The Farewell Season is an opportunity for generations of Bay Area guests to return, spend time with family and friends, and revisit the attractions and traditions that have made the park in Santa Clara, California, such a meaningful part of the community.”
The park’s final day of operation is scheduled for September 6, 2027.
California’s Great America opened in March 1976 and now features more than 40 attractions, including nine roller coasters.
The park was originally developed by the Marriott Corporation before passing through several ownership changes.
Cedar Fair acquired the property in 2006. In 2022, the company sold the 112-acre site to real estate developer Prologis for $310 million while signing a lease that allowed the park to keep operating.
Six Flags has announced the permanent closure of California’s Great America after five decades in operation. A roller coaster is pictured at the Santa Clara theme park
California’s Great America will close after its 2027 season. An overview of the park is pictured
According to the press release, the lease will expire in June 2028. Six Flags, which merged with Cedar Fair in 2024, has decided not to renew it.
“As guests come together for one final season, the park will honor its legacy and celebrate the place it has held in the lives of so many guests through experiences in the park and stories shared across its digital and social channels,” the company said.
The announcement comes just weeks after a man died when he was ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Hassan Kariem, 42, fell to his death after being thrown from his seat on the Goliath roller coaster in front of horrified passengers on October 12.
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Kariem, an education technology professional at Wesley International Academy, had visited the park to celebrate the 13th birthday of his fiancée’s niece, according to his future brother-in-law, Joshua Nelson, who spoke to CNN.
Witnesses said Kariem was ejected from his seat and struck the ride’s metal framework several times before falling to the ground. Several witnesses were reportedly covered in his blood.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Kariem’s death.
As part of that investigation, state officials and Cobb County Major Crimes detectives are examining the coaster’s lap-bar restraints, locking systems and computerized safety sensors, Fox 5 reported.
California’s Great America opened in March 1976 and has more than 40 attractions, including nine roller coasters
The park is scheduled to welcome visitors for the final time on September 6, 2027
The announcement follows the death of Hassan Kariem, 42, who was ejected from a roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia
Following the incident, Six Flags said it plans to install seatbelts on the ride, which has remained closed since the tragedy.
The company has also temporarily shut down eight other roller coasters at five parks while safety reviews are conducted.
John Reilly, chief executive of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation, said the company was strengthening its safety measures, including adding seatbelts to Goliath and other coasters that use similar restraints.
Reilly said ride operators complete a multistage training program involving “classroom instruction, hands-on training, and supervised, on-the-job experience,” along with additional instruction and assessments when needed.
The company also plans to bring in independent engineers and ride-inspection specialists to evaluate attraction safety procedures across its parks.
“I know trust is earned through actions and not words. As CEO of Six Flags, I take that responsibility personally,” Reilly wrote.
