United Parks & Resorts Plans More International Park Locations
(eap) “On our international opportunities, we are in active discussions with multiple potential partners and expect to have two signed MoUs by the end of the year. More to share in the coming quarters,” said Marc Swanson, CEO of U.S.-based operating group United Parks & Resorts, Inc., during the presentation of the company’s latest financial results to investors a few days ago. Swanson explained that the memoranda of understanding (MoU) are related to new international opportunities for the group – currently comprising twelve leisure facilities (including the SeaWorld and Busch Gardens brands) in the U.S. as well as the SeaWorld park in Abu Dhabi.
Looking ahead, this could mean two additional park destinations outside the U.S., comparable in capital approach to the first international SeaWorld theme park, which opened in Abu Dhabi in 2023. As the company stated towards EAP, the MoUs under preparation refer to park developments with a capital investment similar to that of the SeaWorld park in Abu Dhabi. No details are yet available regarding potential themes or attractions.
In the second quarter of 2025, United Parks & Resorts recorded a total of 6.2 million guests, around 48,000 or 0.8 percent more than in the same period of the previous year. Total revenue was 490.2 million U.S. dollars, down 7.4 million U.S. dollars (-1.5 percent) year-on-year. Net income amounted to 80.1 million U.S. dollars (-11.0 million U.S. dollars or -12.1 percent), while adjusted EBITDA reached 206.3 million U.S. dollars (-11.9 million U.S. dollars or -5.4 percent).
“Looking forward, we continue to be encouraged by the forward booking trends we are seeing in our group business and at our Discovery Cove property – both of which are up mid to high single digits for the remainder of the year. While it's early, the 2026 bookings are also showing very strong trends in both areas as well. We are excited about our remaining line-up of events as we wrap up the summer. […] Later in September, we will start our popular Halloween events which will run through October and be followed by our Christmas events in November and December. These special events continue to grow in popularity and we expect this year's events to be amongst our biggest ever. […] I want to thank all of our ambassadors for their hard work and dedicated efforts to make these things happen,” Swanson continued. ■
