Is there a Six Flags in Dubai?

And Could One Still Open in the Future? If you’re a theme park fan planning a trip to the UAE, you might be wondering: Is there a Six Flags in Dubai? The short answer is no  there is currently no Six Flags theme park in Dubai or anywhere else in the United Arab Emirates. However, the longer answer is more interesting, because Dubai once came very close to opening one.

Let’s break down what happened, why it didn’t work out, and whether a Six Flags park in Dubai could still happen one day.

Why People Think There Is (or Was) a Six Flags in Dubai

The confusion comes from Dubai Parks and Resorts, a large entertainment complex located south of the city. When the resort was announced in the mid-2010s, it included ambitious plans for multiple theme parks — and one of those was Six Flags Dubai.

Six Flags Dubai was officially announced as part of the project and was expected to feature:

• Record-breaking roller coasters

• Large-scale thrill rides

• The classic Six Flags focus on adrenaline rather than storytelling

Construction even began, and promotional materials clearly listed Six Flags as a future anchor park.

Why Six Flags Dubai Was Cancelled

Despite early progress, Six Flags Dubai was officially cancelled in 2019. The decision was largely driven by financial and strategic reasons rather than a lack of interest in theme parks.

Key reasons behind the cancellation included:

• Lower-than-expected attendance at Dubai Parks and Resorts after opening

• Financial pressure on the operating company

• A shift away from high-risk, capital-intensive projects

• Concerns about whether Dubai could sustain another large thrill-focused park

At the same time, Six Flags as a company was reassessing its international expansion strategy, making the partnership less attractive for both sides.

As a result, the partially built Six Flags Dubai project was abandoned, and the park never opened to the public.

Is There a Six Flags Anywhere Else in the Middle East?

As of now, there are no operating Six Flags parks in the Middle East.

Six Flags’ international presence is limited, and many previously announced global projects — not just Dubai — have been delayed, cancelled, or quietly dropped over the years. The brand has increasingly refocused on its core North American parks, where it has stronger brand recognition and more predictable attendance.

Could a Six Flags Still Open in Dubai One Day?

In theory? Yes.
In practice? It’s unlikely in the near future.

Dubai remains a city that loves large-scale entertainment projects, and the UAE continues to invest heavily in tourism. However, the theme park landscape has changed significantly since Six Flags Dubai was first announced.

Today, the UAE market is dominated by:

• Indoor theme parks (better suited to the climate)

• IP-driven experiences (Warner Bros., SeaWorld, Ferrari)

• Parks focused on comfort, technology, and broad appeal, not just thrills

Six Flags’ traditional model — outdoor parks with many high-capacity coasters — doesn’t naturally align with Dubai’s climate or current tourism strategy. If Six Flags were ever to return to the conversation, it would likely require:

• A heavily indoor or hybrid concept

• A smaller, more controlled footprint

• A location outside Dubai’s already crowded theme park market

At the moment, there is no official announcement, permit, or credible plan suggesting a Six Flags park is coming to Dubai.

What to Visit Instead If You’re Looking for Thrill Rides in Dubai

While there is no Six Flags in Dubai, thrill seekers still have a few alternatives — with some caveats.

• IMG Worlds of Adventure offers major roller coasters like Velociraptor and Predator, fully indoors

• Motiongate has several coasters, though quality and operations can be inconsistent

• Ferrari World Abu Dhabi (about an hour away) is currently the UAE’s best destination for high-thrill rides, including Formula Rossa

If your main goal is extreme coasters, Abu Dhabi currently delivers far better value than Dubai.

Final Answer: Is There a Six Flags in Dubai?

No  there is no Six Flags in Dubai. Although a Six Flags park was once officially planned, the project was cancelled before opening, and there are currently no confirmed plans to revive it.

Could it happen someday? Possibly.
Is it likely soon? Not at all.

For now, Dubai’s theme park scene has moved in a different direction — and Six Flags remains a “what could have been” chapter in the city’s ambitious entertainment history.