Key Developments in the Sale of La Ronde
On March 5, 2026, La Ronde amusement park, located in Montreal, Canada, was sold by Six Flags Entertainment Corporation to EPR Properties. This transaction is part of a larger deal involving seven amusement parks across North America, with a total value of $342 million.
La Ronde will now be managed by La Ronde Operations Inc., a company owned by Kieran Burke, who has a history of managing La Ronde and other attractions in Quebec. Burke expressed his personal connection to the park, stating, “I have a special affection for La Ronde, having attended Expo 67 as a child.” This sentiment is expected to influence his management approach.
The sale is notable as La Ronde is the only Canadian park included in this extensive transaction, which encompasses properties spanning more than 1,600 acres and featuring over 400 attractions. La Ronde itself draws approximately 4.5 million visitors each year, highlighting its significance in the regional tourism landscape.
Six Flags has faced challenges in understanding La Ronde’s cultural value, as noted by Roger La Roche, who remarked, “Six Flags never understood exactly what La Ronde was.” He also mentioned that there remains a possibility that Burke understands the importance of the park for the city of Montreal.
As part of the transition, season passes already sold for the 2026 season will be honored, ensuring that visitors can continue to enjoy the park without interruption. This move is expected to help maintain customer loyalty during the management change.
The sale is anticipated to be finalized within a month from the announcement, marking a new chapter for La Ronde and its operations. Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada expressed optimism about the future, stating, “We are excited to collaborate with the new managers to boost La Ronde’s appeal and contribute to making Montreal the best tourism destination in the world.”
Historically, La Ronde was sold by the City of Montreal to Six Flags for around $30 million in 2001. The park has undergone various changes since then, including Six Flags filing for bankruptcy in 2009 and merging with a competitor in 2024.
As the transition unfolds, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the new management under Burke will impact La Ronde’s operations and its role in Montreal’s tourism sector.