Six Flags Qiddiya City (Saudi Arabia)
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Six Flags theme park will still move ahead in Qiddiya despite some Western companies putting on hold.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-entertainment-sixflags/saudi-arabia-still-moving-ahead-with-three-major-development-projects-idUSKCN1MZ0Y2

Last week the ground breaking ceremony took place for Qiddiya Entertainment City, which includes Six Flags









Sources: https://twitter.com/CGCSaudi/status/990233968271417344 and https://twitter.com/CGCSaudi/status/990315588609245184 and https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6396192297700114432/

Former Disney Executive has joined the team and lots of PR coming out this month makes this look like it's finally moving in the right direction.

"Our goal is to create an exciting one-of-a-kind destination that will draw visitors from throughout Saudi Arabia to experience record-breaking roller coasters, innovative rides and attractions, as well as the sporting and cultural facilities that Qiddiya will offer. By partnering with a global leader, we know that we are going to deliver something exceptional," Qiddiya Chief Executive Michael Reininger said in a statement.

If that names sounds familiar to readers in Central Florida, that's because Reininger is the former Disney executive who went on to head the development of the Brightline train project. At Disney, Reininger was involved with the development of the Disney Cruise Line, Disney Vacation Club and several moderate-level Disney World hotels, as well as the abandoned Disney's America project.

Source: http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201804/6041/

Six Flags has entered into an arrangement with the [Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund] to develop, design and license the Six Flags brand for Qiddiya—Saudi Arabia’s first entertainment, sports and cultural destination—which is expected to open in 2022.

Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180404005992/en/International-Expansion-Continues-Flags-Branded-Park-Saudi-Arabia

The first phase of the project, located south west of the capital Riyadh, will open by 2022 and include a Six Flags (SIX) theme park as one of the main attractions.

http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/20/news/economy/saudi-arabia-entertainment-investment-fund/index.html?sr=fbmoney092017saudi-arabia-entertainment-investment-fund0207PMVODtopLink&linkId=42476386

Discussing dealings with Saudi Arabia – which is also reportedly interested in purchasing a stake in Six Flags through the kingdom’s Public Investment Fund – Duffey said “good progress” was being made to deliver a theme park to the region. "We’ve had numerous discussions and meetings with the Saudis,” he said. “We’ve recently completed our first phase of the work and we're moving towards signing definitive agreements. Our hope is that we can that accomplished in the near term and I feel very good about the status of the project and believe that Saudi Arabia is an excellent market for us.”

Source: http://www.attractionsmanagement.com/detail.cfm?subID=410650&pagetype=detail&subject=news&codeID=331683

Riyadh has now been confirmed as the location of the first Six Flags in Saudi Arabia. It'll be part of a large "entertainment city" that as a whole will break ground in 2018 with an opening in 2022 so it can be assumed that the Six Flags itself will have a similar development time frame.

Source: http://m.thenational.ae/business/travel-tourism/saudi-arabia-to-build-entertainment-city-south-of-riyadh

Six Flags aims to open the first Saudi Arabia theme park in 2021.

Source: http://meconstructionnews.com/18888/six-flags-to-open-first-saudi-theme-park-by-2021

Mr. Khatib added that Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman’s visit to the U.S. had resulted in the signing of major entertainment companies, such as ‘Six Flags.’

The projects signed with the American Six Flags include creating a number of theme parks across the Kingdom.

“We are honored to have this opportunity to bring Six Flags to Saudi Arabia,” said John Duffey, President and CEO of Six Flags.

“We look forward to supporting Saudi Arabia’s efforts to expand tourism by creating new world-class entertainment destinations in the Kingdom.”

Source: http://english.aawsat.com/2016/10/article55359789/saudi-arabiafirst-world-class-theme-park-underway

Good news for Saudi Arabia:

Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has exempted Saudi Arabia from a GCC theme park deal, allowing the Gulf kingdom [Saudi Arabia] to pursue plans with US operator Six Flags.

Source: http://www.arabianbusiness.com/dubai-ruler-opens-door-for-six-flags-theme-park-in-saudi-arabia-636943.html