The operator of Parque de Atracciones de Madrid could change for the first time in the park’s history. The City of Madrid has launched a public tender for the management of the Spanish amusement park, ending a concession that has been held by Parques Reunidos for nearly six decades.
Parques Reunidos, known as the owner of Attractiepark Slagharen, Bobbejaanland and Movie Park Germany, has managed the Madrid park since before it opened in 1968. The original concession was awarded in 1967.
New concession from 2027
The current agreement expires on September 27, 2027. Madrid is offering a new eight-year concession running until October 2035. The contract cannot be renewed automatically, meaning all interested operators must submit a bid. Parques Reunidos is allowed to participate in the process but will not receive any special status.
The city expects the future operator to invest in both new and existing attractions. The tender documents also call for improvements in accessibility and energy efficiency. All investment costs must be covered by the operator or other private parties.
Madrid will not contribute funding to the project. Any future redevelopment must also preserve the park’s existing green areas.
Historic attraction protected
One of the conditions of the new agreement concerns a carousel dating from 1927. The attraction, a hand-built French model that arrived at the park when it opened in 1968, will receive protected status. The future concession holder will be required to maintain the ride and carry out restoration work if necessary.
One million visitors annually
Parque de Atracciones de Madrid receives around one million visitors per year. Its attraction lineup includes six roller coasters, among them the suspended looping coaster Tornado, the spinning coaster Tarántula and the looping coaster Abismo.
The park is also home to Vértigo, a wild mouse coaster that previously operated at Bobbejaanland until 2008. In addition, visitors can experience two family coasters, a mine train and the Nickelodeon-themed area Nickelodeon Land, where characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora appear.
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