California’s Great America may shut its gates after the 2027 season Six Flags hints at a ticking lease clock while Bay Area favorite still lines up summer fun
California’s Great America has thrilled Northern California families for nearly half a century, but the ride appears to be approaching its final lap. During a June investors‑day Q&A, Six Flags chief financial officer Brian Witherow said the Santa Clara park’s “last year without [a] lease extension would be after the 2027 season,” a remark that effectively puts October 2027 on the calendar as a potential closing date.
Lease clock is ticking as 2027 season looms for Great America visitors
The urgency stems from the park’s unusual real‑estate deal: Cedar Fair sold the 112‑acre property to logistics giant Prologis for $310 million in 2022 and agreed to lease it back for six years, with an option to renew through 2033. That base lease expires on June 30, 2028; without a renewal, Great America must bow out after the 2027 Halloween window.
What a possible 2027 shutdown would mean for employees, fans and Santa Clara
So what does that timeline mean on the ground? First, seasonal offerings are already shrinking: the park will close before Halloween this year and has dropped its once‑popular WinterFest, moves that often precede a wind‑down. City officials say they are in “planning mode,” weighing the economic hit to thousands of part‑time workers and the tourism dollars that spill into hotels, restaurants and Levi’s Stadium across the street.
Key dates, corporate deals and community events driving the closure timeline
Below is a snapshot of the milestones guiding Great America’s uncertain future:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2022 | Cedar Fair sells land to Prologis for $310 million |
| 2024 | Cedar Fair merges with Six Flags, reshuffling priorities |
| 2025 | Park trims fall and winter festivities; books June 28 LaRussell & Juvenile concert |
| 2027 | Potential final operating season, ending around Halloween |
| 2028 | Lease ends June 30; five‑year renewal option must be exercised |
| 2033 | Latest possible closure if full extension is used |
Despite the cloud of uncertainty, Great America is leaning into its musical roots. On June 28, Vallejo rapper LaRussell and New Orleans icon Juvenile will co‑headline the “Backyard Boogie,” giving longtime guests one more reason to swipe their season passes. “We remain focused on the great season that’s already underway,” a Six Flags spokesperson said, stressing ongoing talks with Santa Clara officials and the community.
If Six Flags declines to extend its lease, the Bay Area’s signature thrill park will take its final bow in fall 2027. Fans hoping for one last spin on Gold Striker—or a final funnel cake—should plan ahead, because the countdown has already begun.