Six Flags Acquires Iconic ArieForce One, Bringing Fan-Favorite Roller Coaster Back to Life
Six Flags buys the highly rated ArieForce One coaster, preserving its name and planning a 2028–2029 debut at an as‑yet undisclosed park.
Rhea-AI Summary
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (FUN) has acquired the acclaimed ArieForce One steel roller coaster from Fun Spot America and will debut the ride at one of its parks during the 2028–2029 operating seasons. The company has not yet disclosed which park will become the coaster’s new home, positioning this as a major point of anticipation among enthusiasts.
Six Flags plans to retain the ArieForce One name to honor the ride’s legacy and its connection to Fun Spot America founder John Arie Sr. The coaster, manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, stands 154 feet tall, features a 146‑foot first drop, reaches 64 mph, runs approximately 3,400 feet of track, and includes four inversions and elements such as the world’s largest zero‑gravity stall and a Raven Truss Dive. Originally located at Fun Spot America Atlanta, it operated from March 31, 2023, until August 2, 2026. Additional details on location, construction and reopening plans will be provided later.
Positive
- Acquisition of ArieForce One adds a widely acclaimed Rocky Mountain Construction steel coaster to the Six Flags portfolio
- Planned 2028–2029 debut sets a multi‑year pipeline milestone for introducing a marquee thrill attraction
Negative
- None.
News Explained
The acquisition’s economics remain undisclosed: the release gives no purchase price or other consideration, so its near-term effect on existing common holders cannot be sized from this announcement.
Key Figures
- Planned debut
- 2028-2029 seasons
- At a Six Flags park
- Height
- 154 feet
- ArieForce One ride specifications
- First Drop
- 146 feet
- ArieForce One ride specifications
- Top Speed
- 64 mph
- ArieForce One ride specifications
- Track Length
- Approximately 3,400 feet
- ArieForce One ride specifications
- Inversions
- 4
- ArieForce One ride specifications
- Duration
- Approximately 2 minutes
- ArieForce One ride specifications
Key Terms
negative-g technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Acclaimed roller coaster will debut at a Six Flags park during the 2028-2029 seasons, launching speculation among coaster fans worldwide
While the coaster's future home remains under wraps, today's announcement officially launches what is expected to become one of the most closely watched and passionately debated conversations in the theme park industry: Where will ArieForce One rise again?
For three years, ArieForce One built a devoted following among roller coaster enthusiasts who traveled from across the country and around the world to experience its signature blend of speed, airtime, inversions and nonstop intensity. Named in honor of Fun Spot America founder John Arie Sr. by the family-owned company that developed the attraction, ArieForce One represented both an ambitious investment and a personal legacy for the Arie family.
When the attraction closed in August, fans openly mourned the loss of a coaster many considered one of the finest steel roller coasters ever built. Since then, the question has echoed throughout enthusiast communities, online forums and social media channels: Can one of the world's most celebrated coasters be saved?
Today, Six Flags proudly answers that question.
"From the moment ArieForce One closed, we knew how much this coaster meant to the enthusiast community and to guests who traveled from around the world to experience it," said Mark Pauls, chief operating officer of Six Flags. "This is a ride that consistently generated excitement, acclaim and passionate fan support. We are thrilled to preserve its legacy, invest in its future and bring this extraordinary attraction to a new generation of guests. This acquisition represents our commitment to delivering world-class thrills and creating unforgettable experiences across the Six Flags portfolio."
"When we built ArieForce One, we wanted to create something truly special. Something that would put Fun Spot America on the map with coaster enthusiasts and families around the world and create memories that would last a lifetime," said John Arie Jr, CEO of Fun Spot America. "Seeing ArieForce One preserved and finding a new home with Six Flags means a great deal to me and my family. Its story isn't ending, it's beginning a new chapter, and we are excited that future generations will get to experience ArieForce One.
Pauls added that while fans now know ArieForce One's future is secure, one major mystery remains.
"Part of the excitement is that the story isn't over," Pauls said. "We know fans will immediately begin theorizing about which Six Flags park is the perfect fit. The passion surrounding ArieForce One is unlike anything we've seen in recent years, and when the time comes to reveal its new home, we believe that announcement will be just as exciting as the acquisition itself."
Manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction, ArieForce One quickly earned industry acclaim for its relentless pacing, massive airtime moments, innovative elements and unforgettable ride experience. The coaster became a bucket-list attraction for enthusiasts and a fixture on best-in-the-world rankings, making its closure one of the most discussed stories in the amusement industry. To honor that legacy, Six Flags plans to retain the classic ArieForce One name, honoring the coaster's history and preserving the identity that helped make it a fan favorite.
Now, its next chapter begins.
Since news of the closing began circulating, coaster enthusiasts have filled fan communities with theories about acquisitions and where the attraction might ultimately be installed. From parks already known for their world-class coaster collections to destinations seeking a marquee signature attraction, enthusiasts have begun making their cases for why their favorite park should become the new home of ArieForce One.
"The coaster enthusiast community has spent months wondering whether ArieForce One would be saved and where it might ultimately find a new home," said Derek Perry, president-elect of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), the world's largest amusement ride enthusiast organization. "Preservation is central to ACE's mission, so enthusiasts everywhere were hopeful this remarkable coaster would have a future beyond its original park. Today's announcement answers one question and opens the door to another. The speculation about which park will receive ArieForce One is going to be enormous."
Perry added, "Its farewell brought enthusiasts together from across the globe to celebrate a ride they love, and now they'll be watching every clue and announcement as Six Flags prepares for its next chapter."
Once reassembled and enhanced at its new Six Flags destination, the attraction is expected to become one of the premier thrill experiences in
ArieForce One Ride Stats:
- Manufacturer: Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC)
- Ride Type: Steel roller coaster
- Height: 154 feet (approximately 15 stories tall)
- First Drop: 146 feet
- Top Speed: 64 mph
- Track Length: Approximately 3,400 feet
- Inversions: 4
- Duration: Approximately 2 minutes
- Signature Elements:
- World's largest zero-gravity stall
- Raven Truss Dive
- Outward-banked airtime hill
- Multiple high-intensity airtime (negative-G) moments
- Original location: Fun Spot America Atlanta,
Fayetteville, Georgia - Name origin: Honors Fun Spot America founder John Arie Sr.
- Opening date: March 31, 2023
- Closing date: August 2, 2026
Additional details regarding the attraction's future location, construction timeline and reopening plans will be announced at a later date. Until then, the coaster community's biggest mystery remains unsolved.
Which Six Flags park will become the new home of ArieForce One?
Fans, enthusiasts and thrill-seekers around the world can begin making their predictions now.
"ArieForce One has already cemented its place among the most celebrated roller coasters of its generation," Pauls said. "Today we're thrilled to announce that its future is secure. Next, we'll reveal where its next chapter begins."
Six Flags is home to
About Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (NYSE: FUN) is
About Fun Spot America Theme Parks
Fun Spot America Theme Parks is a family-owned and operated amusement park company known for delivering family-friendly fun, world-class thrills and memorable guest experiences. Founded by John Arie Sr., Fun Spot America operates theme parks in
About American Coaster Enthusiasts
With more than 7,000 members worldwide, ACE is the largest and longest-running ride enthusiast organization in the world. Members of ACE have access to exclusive park benefits and opportunities plus RollerCoaster! Magazine and the opportunity to attend national, local and even international tours at parks. ACE hosts more than 100 in-person and digital events around the world annually and has been prominently featured on various news programs and cable networks.
Editor's Notes: Media Kit available here: Six Flags Acquires ArieForce One. Please credit "Courtesy of American Coaster Enthusiasts" when assets are in use.
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SOURCE Six Flags Entertainment Corporation
FAQ
When will ArieForce One open at a Six Flags park?
Six Flags plans to introduce ArieForce One at one of its parks during the 2028–2029 operating seasons. A specific opening date and the exact season window have not yet been announced.
Has Six Flags revealed which park will receive ArieForce One?
No. The company has confirmed only that ArieForce One will debut at a Six Flags park, and states that the coaster’s future home remains under wraps. Six Flags expects ongoing speculation among fans until the park is revealed.
Will the ArieForce One name or ride experience change under Six Flags?
Six Flags plans to retain the classic ArieForce One name to honor the coaster’s history. The company also states that once the ride is reassembled and enhanced at its new destination, it is expected to become one of the premier thrill experiences in North America.
What are the key technical statistics of ArieForce One?
ArieForce One is a Rocky Mountain Construction steel roller coaster standing 154 feet tall with a 146‑foot first drop, a top speed of 64 mph, and approximately 3,400 feet of track. The ride lasts around two minutes and features four inversions, including the world’s largest zero‑gravity stall, a Raven Truss Dive, an outward‑banked airtime hill, and multiple high‑intensity airtime (negative‑G) moments.
Where did ArieForce One operate before being acquired by Six Flags?
ArieForce One originally operated at Fun Spot America Atlanta in Fayetteville, Georgia. It opened there on March 31, 2023, and closed on August 2, 2026, after which Six Flags acquired the coaster.
What information about construction and reopening has Six Flags provided?
Six Flags states that additional details regarding ArieForce One’s future location, construction timeline, and reopening plans will be announced at a later date. No specific construction schedule or reopening year beyond the 2028–2029 seasons has been given.