Six Flags revealed its big Tuesday announcement. ArieForce One has a new home. However, we do not know where yet.

What Six Flags is announcing?

A Six Flags big announcement was speculated to be happening this week about a new attraction of some type. Could it be about the new location for ArieForce One?

Is the Purchase of ArieForce One the Big Six Flags Announcement?

In 2021, Fun Spot America Theme Parks made a game-changing investment by purchasing ArieForce One, a custom steel roller coaster manufactured by Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC). Known primarily for family-oriented attractions and go-kart tracks, the family-owned chain aimed to dramatically elevate its flagship location in Fayetteville, Georgia, just south of Atlanta.

The multi-million-dollar acquisition represented the largest single capital investment in Fun Spot’s history. Named for the park’s founder, Arie Hedrick, the coaster was designed by renowned engineer Joe Draves. RMC utilized its signature patented I-Box track system, which allowed the ride to offer intense, ultra-smooth maneuvers, rapid speed transitions, and extreme airtime moments.

The decision to purchase a high-thrill, world-class coaster from RMC was a bold strategic move to transform Fun Spot Atlanta from a regional fun center into a bucket-list destination for coaster enthusiasts worldwide. Rising 154 feet high, reaching speeds of 64 mph, and featuring a steep 83-degree drop along with four inversions (including the largest zero-g stall in North America), the ride was engineered to deliver maximum intensity within a compact footprint.

ArieForce One Closure

After just three years of operation, ArieForce One permanently closed at Fun Spot America Atlanta on August 2, 2026, following the complete shutdown of the Fayetteville, Georgia theme park. Despite universal acclaim from roller coaster enthusiasts and industry awards praising its intense maneuvers, 83-degree drop, and massive zero-g stall, the $13 million Rocky Mountain Construction (RMC) coaster could not single-handedly sustain the regional park financially. The small property suffered from consistently low attendance and ongoing high operating overhead, prompting ownership to shutter the location entirely.

The shutdown marked one of the shortest operational lifespans for a modern, world-class steel coaster. However, ArieForce One’s story did not end at the baseline. In early September 2026, Fun Spot America confirmed that the record-breaking coaster had been officially sold to an undisclosed buyer. While its future destination remained unannounced, the ride will be dismantled, relocated, and rebuilt at a new amusement park, ensuring RMC’s critically acclaimed creation lives on elsewhere.

So, What is Six Flags Big Announcement?

A day after revealing the new Flex Pay by Upgrade plan for Six Flags theme park and the Harry Potter Abu Dhabi announcement, theme park fans got another announcement from Six Flags. The company confirmed Tuesday morning that it bought Arie Force One. The reveal dropped at 7:30 a.m. Eastern (6:30 a.m. Central), exactly when industry watchers expected it.

Six Flags announced Sept. 8 that it acquired the acclaimed Rocky Mountain Construction roller coaster from Fun Spot America. The company plans to reopen ArieForce One at one of its parks during the 2028 or 2029 season, retain its original name, and enhance the attraction during the relocation.

Location Unknown for ArieForce One

Six Flags says it is “actively considering multiple parks across our portfolio” as the ride’s new home. However, they declined to disclose the terms of the purchase or how much it will cost to move the ride to its new location.

“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.”

Future of 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.

What fans were guessing before the reveal

With only a vague teaser to go on, the theme park internet did what it always does and started speculating. A few of the leading theories floating around forums, X and YouTube comment sections ahead of the Tuesday reveal:

• A new record-breaking coaster announcement for one of the flagship parks, in the same mold as this summer’s Bakunawa reveal at Six Flags Great Adventure or Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas.
• Some kind of resolution on the future of X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain, the shuttered fourth-dimension coaster that still hasn’t gotten a clear answer on whether it’s reopening.
• A company wide investment announcement in the tradition of past “largest investment in a decade” press releases, rather than a single-park reveal.
• The ArieForce One rumor!

New Flex Pay by Upgrade

On Monday, September 8, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation introduced Flex Pay by Upgrade, a buy-now-pay-later option designed to make park visits more accessible for families and thrill-seekers. Powered by fintech platform Upgrade, the flexible financing solution lets eligible guests buy Season Passes and other qualifying park products online and split the cost over time through fixed monthly installments.

Key Details & Eligibility

• Minimum Purchase: Available on qualifying online orders of $49 or more.
• Immediate Access: Guests can lock in current ticket pricing and begin using their Season Pass benefits immediately upon activation without waiting for full payment.
• Flexible Terms: Installment plans feature fixed monthly payments with APRs ranging from 0% to 36%, depending on credit evaluations by Upgrade’s lending partners.
• Early Payoff: Guests have the freedom to pay off their balance early at any time without facing prepayment penalties.

Operational Availability

Applicants must be at least 18 years old to complete the short checkout application. Flex Pay is offered across online purchases in all U.S. states where Six Flags parks operate, though availability varies across certain U.S. territories.

By spreading out costs into predictable budget-friendly payments, Six Flags aims to help guests plan ahead for major park milestones, including spring break trips, summer park outings, seasonal Fright Fest events, and winter holiday celebrations.

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

For more theme park-related news and information, visit MSM News.

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