Six Flags is Opening Its First Overseas Location in Qiddiya City

The thrill-hungry amongst us is about to have a very busy New Year’s Eve. On December 31st, Six Flags Qiddiya City swings open its gates, ready to fling visitors into the kind of gravitational negotiations usually reserved for fighter pilots and people who stand up too quickly. This is the first Six Flags outside North America, and Riyadh has somehow convinced it to debut with record-breaking roller coasters, plural.

The headliner is Falcons Flight, billed as the world’s tallest, fastest, and longest roller coaster, otherwise known as “the ride your bravest friend will pretend they’re not scared of.” Add to that Iron Rattler, the tallest tilt coaster, and Spitfire, the tallest inverted coaster, and suddenly the Tuwaiq Mountains have competition for altitude.

But there’s a softer side: 18 rides designed for families, the roller-coaster-hesitant, and anyone who hears the words “tallest in the world” and immediately sits down.

Six Flags Qiddiya City is also the first real preview of Qiddiya City’s grand plan—a massive cultural and entertainment destination carved into the Tuwaiq cliffs, 40 minutes from Riyadh, with ambitions to host global sports events, festivals and concerts.

Ticket prices start at SAR 325 for adults and SAR 275 for children, with free entry for infants under four, who, frankly, are not the target audience for 200 km/h drops. There’s also an Unlimited GoFast Pass for anyone morally opposed to queues.

Getting there is straightforward: drive, taxi, shuttle, or embrace public transport via the free queue shuttles from Jeddah Metro Station (from 3 pm). Only ticket-holders can board, presumably to prevent joyriders doing loops around Riyadh.