Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 9.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £1.4bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Merlin Entertainments expands its hospitality offerings to bring in more money
- Industry performance is heavily dictated by Merlin Entertainments, which commands a significant market share. The company owns and operates the four largest parks in the UK: LEGOLAND Windsor, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures. Merlin's extensive scale enables continuous innovation in its offerings, encouraging consumer loyalty and boosting industry revenue. In 2024, Merlin Entertainments launched Hyperia at Thorpe Park, setting national records as the UK’s tallest and fastest roller coaster.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Universal Studios’ launch will mark a turning point for UK attractions
- In April 2025, the UK government confirmed that Universal Studios Great Britain will begin construction of a new park in 2026, with a proposed opening in 2031. The site is set to become the largest theme park in the UK, with forecast visitor numbers of 8.5 million in its first year. The new park will significantly reshape the industry landscape, disrupting the long-standing dominance of Merlin Entertainments. Universal’s global brand, with blockbuster IPs like Harry Potter and Jurassic World alongside world-class attractions, will raise the bar for what visitors expect from a theme park experience. This could divert a significant number of visitors away from Merlin’s established parks, like Thorpe Park and Alton Towers. In turn, Merlin will likely double down on ride innovation and guest experiences to maintain appeal among thrill-seekers and capitalise on renewed interest in theme parks and attractions generated by Universal’s arrival.
Biggest companies in the Amusement & Theme Parks in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Merlin Entertainments Ltd | 664.7 | |
Paultons Park Ltd | 36.2 | |
Flamingo Land Ltd | 35.8 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Admissions, rides and games, Food and beverages and Merchandise. Admissions, rides and games is the largest segment of the Amusement & Theme Parks in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Admissions, rides and games make up the bulk of revenue
- The majority of amusement and theme parks’ revenue comes from the sale of entrance tickets, which are typically purchased online. However, they can also be bought at the gate, subject to availability.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry covers the activities of amusement and theme parks. It includes the operation of a variety of attractions, such as mechanical rides, water rides, games, shows, theme exhibits and picnic grounds. Amusement and theme parks also provide in-park food and drink services and merchandise shops.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom include Admissions, rides and games , Food and beverages and Merchandise .Companies
Companies covered in the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom include Merlin Entertainments Ltd, Paultons Park Ltd and Flamingo Land Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom include destination park, in-park spending and roller coaster.Industry Code
SIC 93.21 - Amusement & Theme Parks in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Bad weather dampens visitor attendance. Adverse weather during peak periods of 2023 and 2024 has weighed on industry revenue growth as consumers pursue alternative leisure ac...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Admissions, rides and games account for the majority of revenue. Amusement and theme parks often charge customers once they’ve entered the park for additional entertainment, ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
The South West has many parks. The region’s popularity as a domestic holiday destination, particularly the counties of Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset, makes it ideal fo...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Parks need exciting rides and attractions if they want to succeed. Amusement and theme park goers will travel to visit parks that offer new and unique rides. Successful parks...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Merlin owns the majority of attractions in the UK. The company’s portfolio includes Legoland Windsor, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures, Sea Life Aqu...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Merlin Entertainments Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Paultons Park Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Flamingo Land Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Merlin Entertainments Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Paultons Park Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Flamingo Land Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Climbing domestic tourism opens up growth opportunities. UK holidaymakers remain a key market for amusement and theme parks, so the staycation trend is driving up visitor num...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit comes under pressure. The industry's margin is being hit by rising labour, purchasing and marketing costs, disproportionately impacting smaller amusement and theme par...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom is £1.4bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 582 businesses in the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom?
The Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom?
The Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 9.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom are Merlin Entertainments Ltd, Paultons Park Ltd and Flamingo Land Ltd
What does the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom include?
Admissions, rides and games and Food and beverages are part of the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom is Merlin Entertainments Ltd.
How competitive is the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Amusement & Theme Parks industry in the United Kingdom.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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