Six Flags Great Adventure confirmed Thursday morning that it is indeed closing Kingda Ka, the world’s tallest roller coaster, to make way for a new project opening in 2026.

As Theme Park Tribune previously reported, YouTubers such as ElToroRyan and Coaster Studios had reported on rumors from unnamed sources that Kingda Ka would close earlier this month without any warning beforehand from the Jackson, New Jersey park. Those rumors, while unconfirmed at the time, circulated widely enough that coaster enthusiasts created their own sendoff for the 456-foot-tall, 128-mph hydraulic launch coaster this past weekend. 

Kingda Ka (Theme Park Tribune)

In its press release, Six Flags Great Adventure said the park will be removing both Kingda Ka and the nearby Green Lantern stand-up coaster. That will make way for what the park is calling a “multi-world-record-breaking launch roller coaster” that will debut in 2026.

“We understand that saying goodbye to beloved rides can be difficult, and we appreciate our guests’ passion,” Great Adventure park president Brian Bacica said in a statement. “These changes are an important part of our growth and dedication to delivering exceptional new experiences. We look forward to sharing more details next summer.”

Park spokesperson Mark Villari Jr. told Theme Park Tribune subsequently confirmed in an email to Theme Park Tribune that Kingda Ka would be removed entirely. “What was cutting-edge roller coaster technology 20 years ago has been surpassed by more modern advancements,” Villari Jr. said. “This has challenged operations and contributed to an inconsistent guest experience. We’re excited to debut a completely new, multi-record-breaking launch coaster in 2026.”

Villari Jr. also confirmed that Zumanjaro: Drop of Doom, the drop tower attached to Kingda Ka, would be removed.

Influencers who had now been proven right about Kingda Ka’s closure took to social media for a victory lap after the press release came out.

When Theme Park Tribune asked why the closure was announced only after Kingda Ka had stopped operating, robbing many coaster fans of the knowledge to say a proper goodbye, Villari Jr. responded: “Since the finalization of the merger between Six Flags and Cedar Fair, we’ve been moving quickly to solidify our future plans. Our focus remains on enhancing the guest experience, and to stay on track for a 2026 opening, we had to make quick decisions to begin construction.”  

The park’s Sky Way gondola ride will also be removed after it had not been in operation during the 2024 season.

To partially make up for the closure of these two coasters, in 2025, Great Adventure will open The Flash: Vertical Velocity, a Vekoma Super Boomerang that was delayed from its scheduled 2024 opening.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated after publication with additional comment from a Six Flags Great Adventure spokesperson.