Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City to open Six Flags theme park in December 

The park — the first Six Flags outside North America — forms part of Qiddiya Investment Co.’s flagship development on the outskirts of Riyadh. SPA
Short Url
Updated 16 November 2025
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City to open Six Flags theme park in December 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will open its first Six Flags theme park on Dec. 31, 2025, as Qiddiya City accelerates efforts to position itself as a major regional hub for entertainment, sports, and culture.   

The park — the first Six Flags outside North America — forms part of Qiddiya Investment Co.’s flagship development on the outskirts of Riyadh. Located in the Tuwaiq Mountains about 40 minutes from the capital, Qiddiya City is being marketed as a master-planned destination built around the company’s “Power of Play” strategy, according to the Saudi Press Agency. 

Qiddiya is central to Saudi Arabia’s transformation strategy under Vision 2030, with the Kingdom targeting up to 150 million visitors annually by 2030 as the nation moves beyond oil-led growth. 

Brian Machamer, president of Six Flags Qiddiya City, said: “Six Flags Qiddiya City not only opens its door to the public for the first time, it starts to showcase everything Qiddiya City stands for: bold imagination, unforgettable experiences, and a new benchmark for global entertainment.” 

Six Flags Qiddiya City will feature 28 rides, including several promoted as record-breakers: the Falcons Flight roller coaster, billed as the world’s tallest, fastest and longest; the Iron Rattler, described as the world’s tallest tilt coaster; and Spitfire, marketed as the world’s tallest inverted coaster.  

The park also includes 18 family-oriented rides, as well as international dining outlets and retail stores offering exclusive Six Flags merchandise. 

Qiddiya City is expected to eventually feature hundreds of attractions, along with residential, retail, office, hospitality, healthcare and educational facilities in a large-scale, mixed-use district. The development is a key part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to expand its tourism sector and diversify its economy beyond oil. 

The theme park will open daily at 4 p.m., with complimentary shuttles connecting visitors from designated parking areas and from Jeddah Metro Station, where services will begin at 3 p.m. All shuttle services are accessible for guests with disabilities. 

Tickets will start at SR325 ($87) for adults and SR275 for children, while infants under four will be admitted free. Visitors will have the option to purchase an Unlimited GoFast Pass for priority access to selected rides. Discounted tickets for people with special needs, senior citizens and companions will be sold exclusively at the park, starting from SR75. 


QatarEnergy announces force majeure following Iran attacks: statement

Updated 04 March 2026
Follow

QatarEnergy announces force majeure following Iran attacks: statement

DOHA: Qatar’s state-run energy firm on Wednesday declared force majeure following attacks on two of its main facilities that halted liquefied natural gas production and as Iran pressed missile and drone attacks across the Gulf.

“Further to the announcement by QatarEnergy to stop production of liquefied natural gas and associated products, QatarEnergy has declared Force Majeure to its affected buyers,” the company said in a statement.

QatarEnergy invoked the clause, which shields it from penalties and potential breach of contract claims from clients, after stopping LNG production on Monday.

Iranian drones attacked two of the company’s main production hubs in Ras Laffan Industrial City, 80 km north of Doha and in Mesaieed 40 km south of the Qatari capital, Doha’s ministry of defense said at the time.

The Gulf state is one of the world’s top liquefied natural gas producers, alongside the US, Australia and Russia.

On Tuesday, QatarEnergy said it would halt some downstream production of some products including urea, polymers, methanol, aluminum and others.

Qatar shares the world’s largest natural gas reservoir with Iran.

QatarEnergy estimates the Gulf state’s portion of the reservoir, the North Field, holds about 10 percent of the world’s known natural gas reserves.

In recent years, Qatar has inked a series of long-term LNG deals with France’s Total, Britain’s Shell, India’s Petronet, China’s Sinopec and Italy’s Eni, among others.