{{Short description|British leisure company}} {{EngvarB|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = Merlin Entertainments Limited | former_names = Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd. (1998–2013)<br>Merlin Entertainments PLC (2013–2019) | logo = 200px | type = Private<ref name=control>{{cite web |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/08700412 |title=Merlin Entertainments Limited |work=Companies House |access-date=28 September 2021}}</ref> | founder = | equity = {{decrease}} £885 million (2025)<ref name=financial25 /> | owners = Motion JVCO Ltd | key_people = Fiona Eastwood (CEO) | industry = Entertainment | revenue = {{decrease}} £1,999 million (2025)<ref name="financial25">{{cite web|url= https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/media/8353/motion-jvco-annual-report-and-accounts-2025.pdf|title=Annual Report & Accounts 2025|publisher=Merlin Entertainments|access-date=26 March 2026}}</ref> | operating_income = {{increase}} -£(58) million (2025)<ref name=financial25 /> | net_income = {{increase}} -£(406) million (2025)<ref name=financial25 /> | assets = {{decrease}} £7,449 million (2025)<ref name=financial25 /> | founded = {{Start date and age|1998|12|14|df=y}} | hq_location_city = London | hq_location_country = England | website = {{URL|merlinentertainments.biz}} }} {{Merlin Entertainments sidebar}}
'''Merlin Entertainments Limited''' is a global entertainment company based in London, England, which operates a number of theme park resorts and other visitor attractions. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange until November 2019. It was then privately acquired by the consortium Motion JVCO Ltd, which includes Kirkbi (the investment arm of the Kristiansen family that also controls the Lego Group and BrainPop).
==History== In December 1998, Nick Varney, Andrew Carr and the senior management team of Vardon Attractions (Vardon plc) completed a management buyout of the company to form Merlin Entertainments Group Ltd., with the backing of the private equity firm Apax Partners. Apax sold the company in 2004 to another financial investor, Hermes Private Equity.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blackstone.com/news-views/press-releases/details/blackstone-acquires-merlin-entertainment|title=Blackstone Acquires Merlin Entertainment|work=blackstone.com|date=23 May 2005 |access-date=30 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124749/http://blackstone.com/news-views/press-releases/details/blackstone-acquires-merlin-entertainment|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref>
In May 2005, the company was acquired from Hermes by a division of The Blackstone Group,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blackstone.com/media/press-releases/blackstone-acquires-merlin-entertainment |title=Blackstone Acquires Merlin Entertainment |publisher=Blackstone.com |date=2005-05-23 |access-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030003621/https://www.blackstone.com/media/press-releases/blackstone-acquires-merlin-entertainment |archive-date=30 October 2017 }}</ref> which later started a major expansion. Between 2005 and 2010, Merlin acquired the Legoland parks, Gardaland, The Tussauds Group, Cypress Gardens, and various attractions from Village Roadshow Theme Parks and Living and Leisure Australia. The company was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 2013 but returned to private ownership in 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://coasterbuzz.com/Forums/Topic/merlin-entertainments-group-acquires-italys-gardaland|title=Merlin Entertainments Group acquires Italy's Gardaland|date=16 October 2006|publisher=Coaster Buzz|access-date=25 March 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405083540/http://coasterbuzz.com/Forums/Topic/merlin-entertainments-group-acquires-italys-gardaland|archive-date=5 April 2016}}</ref>
=== Major acquisitions (2005–2012) === After the sale of Merlin to Blackstone Group, the company negotiated to buy control of the Legoland theme parks in 2005 for about £250 million, then merged it with Merlin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4678213.stm |title=Troubled Lego sells theme parks |publisher=BBC News |date=2005-07-13 |access-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002124655/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/4678213.stm |archive-date=2 October 2017 }}</ref> As part of the deal, Kirkbi A/S, the investment arm of LEGO's owners, took a share in Merlin Entertainments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/questor/10414665/Why-you-shouldnt-buy-shares-in-Legoland-owner-Merlin-Entertainment.html|title=Why you shouldn't buy shares in Legoland owner Merlin Entertainment|date=30 October 2013|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|access-date=30 March 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327025026/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/questor/10414665/Why-you-shouldnt-buy-shares-in-Legoland-owner-Merlin-Entertainment.html|archive-date=27 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.CaliforniaResortLife.com/northsd/legoland_california.htm |title=Tour Legoland California |work=CaliforniaResortLife.com |access-date=13 August 2015 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205181543/http://californiaresortlife.com/northsd/legoland_california.htm |archive-date=5 February 2016 }}</ref>
In 2006, Merlin acquired Gardaland theme park resort in northeastern Italy.
In May 2007, Blackstone purchased The Tussauds Group, owner of the Madame Tussauds wax museums, for US$1.9 billion, to merge the company with Merlin.<ref name="telegraph1">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812377/Merlin-conjures-up-leaseback-deal.html |title=Merlin conjures up leaseback deal |work=The Daily Telegraph|location=London |date=2007-07-18 |access-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114021228/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/2812377/Merlin-conjures-up-leaseback-deal.html |archive-date=14 November 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/05/AR2007030501369.html |title=Blackstone Buys Madame Tussauds Chain |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920092211/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/05/AR2007030501369.html |archive-date=20 September 2016 }}</ref> After the Tussauds acquisition, Dubai International Capital, the previous owner, received a 20% stake in the combined entity as well as £1.03bn in cash.<ref>''King of Capital'', p. 313.</ref><ref name="telegraph1"/><ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6419019.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Tussauds firm bought in £1bn deal | date=5 March 2007 | access-date=12 May 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205005547/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6419019.stm | archive-date=5 December 2008 }}</ref>
On 17 July 2007, as part of the financing for the Tussauds deal, the freeholds of Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Warwick Castle and Madame Tussauds were sold to private investor Nick Leslau and his investment firm Prestbury, with a 35-year leaseback agreement.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6902797.stm | publisher=BBC News | title=Alton Towers sold in £622m deal | date=17 July 2007 | access-date=12 May 2010 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823235943/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6902797.stm | archive-date=23 August 2007 }}</ref>
On 15 January 2010, Merlin Entertainments bought Cypress Gardens, a defunct theme park in Winter Haven, Florida. It was reopened as Legoland Florida theme park.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.theledger.com/article/20100115/NEWS/100119831/1410?|title= Cypress Gardens Sold to Legoland|date= 15 January 2010|access-date= 15 January 2010|url-status= live|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100117043312/http://www.theledger.com/article/20100115/NEWS/100119831/1410|archive-date= 17 January 2010}}</ref>
In late 2010, it was announced that Merlin would purchase approximately A$116 million worth of entertainment attractions located in Australia and New Zealand from Village Roadshow Theme Parks. The sale would include Sydney Aquarium, Sydney Wildlife World, Oceanworld Manly, Sydney Tower and the Koala Gallery in Australia, in addition to Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite news|title=Village Roadshow sells Sydney Attractions|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/village-roadshow-sells-sydney-attractions-20101217-19039.html|access-date=17 December 2010|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=17 December 2010|agency=Australian Associated Press|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101220034846/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/village-roadshow-sells-sydney-attractions-20101217-19039.html|archive-date=20 December 2010}}</ref> On 3 March 2011, the deal was finalised.<ref>{{cite news|agency=Australian Associated Press|title=Plans for a Madame Tussauds in Sydney|url=http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/plans-for-a-madame-tussauds-in-sydney-20110303-1bfzn.html|access-date=12 March 2011|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=3 March 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110307033034/http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/plans-for-a-madame-tussauds-in-sydney-20110303-1bfzn.html|archive-date=7 March 2011}}</ref> This was followed by the $140 million acquisition of Living and Leisure Australia which owned several attractions in the Asia-Pacific region including UnderWater World, Melbourne Aquarium, Falls Creek Alpine Resort, Hotham Alpine Resort, Otway Fly, Illawarra Fly, Busan Aquarium and Siam Ocean World.<ref name="Merlin Entertainments Group conjures $140m James Packer bid">{{cite news|last=Ooi|first=Teresa|title=Merlin Entertainments Group conjures $140m James Packer bid|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mergers-acquisitions/merlin-entertainments-group-conjures-140m-james-packer-bid/story-fn91vdzj-1226226193589|access-date=4 June 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=20 December 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111227041336/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mergers-acquisitions/merlin-entertainments-group-conjures-140m-james-packer-bid/story-fn91vdzj-1226226193589|archive-date=27 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="Merlin ready to wrap up Living and Leisure deal">{{cite news|last=Danckert|first=Sarah|title=Merlin ready to wrap up Living and Leisure deal|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mergers-acquisitions/merlin-ready-to-wrap-up-living-and-leisure-deal/story-fn91vdzj-1226269113927|access-date=4 June 2012|newspaper=The Australian|date=13 February 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216115409/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mergers-acquisitions/merlin-ready-to-wrap-up-living-and-leisure-deal/story-fn91vdzj-1226269113927|archive-date=16 February 2012}}</ref>
=== Public listing (2013–2019) === Merlin had planned to go public in the early 2000s, but market turbulence postponed those plans. Instead, Blackstone sold 20% of the company to the private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, reducing Blackstone's holding to 34%. CVC acquired another 8% from the Dubai investment fund which is no longer involved with the company, giving it 28% in all. Kirkbi, a Danish family trust that owns LEGO, also increased its stake, emerging as the largest shareholder, with 36%. CVC paid a price that valued Merlin at £2.25 billion<ref>[http://www.cvc.com/Files/GetFile.aspx?Type=PressRelease&ID=156 CVC Capital Partners press release]{{dead link|date=September 2011}}, 24 June 2010.</ref> – more than six times what Merlin and Legoland together were worth when Blackstone acquired them five years earlier. Blackstone's investment was by that point worth more than three and a half times what it had paid.<ref>''King of Capital'', p. 314.</ref>
On 8 November 2013, Merlin floated 30% of the company on the London Stock Exchange, valuing the private equity-backed company at almost £3.4bn.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/questor/10414665/Why-you-shouldnt-buy-shares-in-Legoland-owner-Merlin-Entertainment.html Why you shouldn't buy shares in Legoland owner Merlin Entertainment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150327025026/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/markets/questor/10414665/Why-you-shouldnt-buy-shares-in-Legoland-owner-Merlin-Entertainment.html |date=27 March 2015 }} ''The Daily Telegraph'', 30 October 2013</ref>
In 2015, the company opened the Orlando Eye Ferris wheel attraction in Orlando. It then sold the wheel in 2018 but repurchased it in 2024.
Reports in early October 2017 indicated that Merlin Entertainments was considering a takeover of Sea World in Orlando, but on 11 October, the company said it was no longer involved in such discussions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cityam.com/273685/merlin-entertainments-waves-goodbye-seaworld-deal |title=Legoland and Alton Towers owner Merlin Entertainments waves goodbye to SeaWorld deal | City A.M |publisher=City A.M. |date=2017-10-11 |access-date=2017-12-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201143804/http://www.cityam.com/273685/merlin-entertainments-waves-goodbye-seaworld-deal |archive-date=1 February 2018 }}</ref>
=== Return to private ownership (2019–present) === In June 2019, the company's board agreed to recommend a takeover offer of £4.8 billion from a consortium consisting of Kirkbi A/S, CPP Investment Board and The Blackstone Group.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48797245|title=Legoland owner Merlin Entertainments agrees £4.8bn offer|date=28 June 2019|publisher=BBC News|access-date=25 August 2019}}</ref> The takeover was approved by the high court in November 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-west/court-approves-deal-for-merlin-entertainments|title=Court approves deal for Merlin Entertainments|date=1 November 2019|work=Insider Media|access-date=2 November 2019}}</ref>
Merlin opened its first Peppa Pig Theme Park in Winter Haven, Florida in 2022, with future sites planned for Texas and Günzburg, Germany.
Nick Varney left the company at the end of 2022, along with longtime Chief Development Officer, Mark Fisher. Varney was replaced by Scott O'Neil, who arrived from a media and sports management background. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/newsroom/news-releases/2022/scott-m-oneil-appointed-ceo/|title=Merlin Entertainments appoints Scott M. O'Neil Chief Executive Officer|date=14 November 2022|work=Merlin Entertainments|access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref>
In March 2023, Merlin cancelled a new Legoland resort in Belgium, which had been planned to open in 2027 on the former site of Caterpillar's factory in Gosselies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Un parc d'attractions Legoland à l'horizon 2027 sur le site Caterpillar à Charleroi |url=https://www.rtbf.be/article/un-parc-dattractions-legoland-a-lhorizon-2027-sur-le-site-caterpillar-a-charleroi-11056486 |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=RTBF |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|language=French|url=https://www.lecho.be/economie-politique/belgique/wallonie/merlin-renonce-a-construire-un-parc-legoland-a-charleroi/10456088.html|title=Merlin renonce à construire un parc Legoland à Charleroi|work=L'Echo |date=24 March 2023|publisher=L'Echo}}</ref> By the end of 2024, both Little Big City sites in Berlin and Beijing and the Bear Grylls Adventure in Birmingham, UK were closed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg0rxedvlvo|title=Bear Grylls-inspired activity centre to close |date=11 December 2024|work=BBC News|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref>
In November of 2024, Merlin entered a $110 million dollar theme park deal with Microsoft, the owners of video game developer Mojang. This deal included themed rides, attractions, hotels, and retail outlets themed after the popular video game ''Minecraft''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sweney |first=Mark |date=2024-11-19 |title=Minecraft enters real world with $110m global theme park deal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/19/minecraft-theme-park-deal-uk-us-merlin-entertainments |access-date=2025-10-01 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
O'Neil left the company at the end of 2024, with Chief Operating Officer, Fiona Eastwood, taking over as CEO.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/newsroom/news-releases/2025/fiona-eastwood-ceo/|title=Merlin Entertainments Appoints Fiona Eastwood as Chief Executive Officer|date=17 February 2025|work=Merlin Entertainments|access-date=17 February 2025}}</ref> At the same time, the company began a group-wide restructuring to merge its Resort Theme Parks, Legoland Parks and Gateway Attractions divisions on a regional basis, which Merlin stated would bring them into "one united business" going forwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/whats-on/whats-on-news/merlin-entertainments-breaking-warwick-castle-30895876|title=Merlin Entertainments issues statement over Warwick Castle operations|date=30 January 2025|work=Coventry Live|access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref>
In 2025, it was revealed that Merlin were looking to sell many of its Sea Life Centres, but failed to find an attractive offer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blooloop.com/animals/news/merlin-reportedly-reviewing-sale-sea-life-aquariums/|title=Merlin reportedly exploring sale of some Sea Life aquariums|date=14 February 2025|work=Blooloop|access-date=14 February 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blooloop.com/animals/news/merlin-cancels-plans-uk-sea-life-aquarium-sale/|title=Merlin shelves plans to sell some UK-based Sea Life aquariums|date=14 August 2025|work=Blooloop|access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref> In June, it was also announced that the majority of Merlin's Blackpool attractions would be taken over by Blackpool Council through their in-house tourism company Blackpool Tourism Limited. This included the Blackpool Tower, Blackpool Dungeon and Madame Tussauds Blackpool.<ref name="Blackpool Council handover">{{cite news |title=Blackpool Tower to be taken over by council |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93lex00gg2o |access-date=19 June 2025 |publisher=BBC News |date=4 June 2025}}</ref> In September, it was announced that Merlin was to sell its Lego Discovery Centres to the Lego Group, also a part-owned subsidiary of Kirkbi, with an estimated cash consideration of £200 million.<ref name="Lego Discovery Sale">{{cite web |title=The LEGO® Group to acquire LEGO® Discovery Centres and LEGOLAND® Discovery Centres from Merlin Entertainments |url=https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/newsroom/news-releases/2025/lego-group-to-acquire-ldc/ |website=Merlin Entertainments |publisher=Merlin Entertainments |access-date=24 September 2025 |date=24 September 2025}}</ref> The sale was completed on 27 February 2026.<ref> {{Cite web |title=The LEGO Group Completes Acquisition of LEGO® Discovery Centres and LEGOLAND® Discovery Centres From Merlin Entertainments |url=https://www.merlinentertainments.biz/newsroom/news-releases/2026/lego-group-completes-acquisition/ |access-date=2026-03-04 |website=www.merlinentertainments.biz |language=en}}</ref>
==Properties==
===Resort theme parks=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:170px;"| Name ! style="width:220px;"| Location ! Year opened ! Year acquired ! Notes |- | Gardaland | {{flagicon|Italy}} Castelnuovo del Garda, Italy | 1975 | 2006 | Owner and operator; Purchased in 2006 under Blackstone. |- | Heide Park | {{flagicon|Germany}} Soltau, Lower Saxony, Germany | 1978 | 2007 | Operator; Acquired in Tussauds Group deal. |- | Thorpe Park | {{flagicon|UK}} Chertsey, Surrey, UK | 1979 | 2007 | Operator; Acquired in Tussauds Group deal. |- | Alton Towers | {{flagicon|UK}} Alton, Staffordshire, UK | 1980 | 2007 | Operator; Acquired in Tussauds Group deal. |- | Chessington World of Adventures | {{flagicon|UK}} Chessington, Greater London, UK | 1987 | 2007 | Owner and operator; Acquired in Tussauds Group deal. |}
===LEGOLAND parks=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:170px;"| Name ! style="width:220px;"| Location ! Year opened ! Year acquired ! Notes |- | Legoland Billund Resort | {{flagicon|Denmark}} Billund, Denmark | 1968 | 2005 | Acquired in Blackstone deal. |- | Legoland Windsor Resort | {{flagicon|UK}} Windsor, UK | 1996 | 2005 | Acquired in Blackstone deal. |- | Legoland California Resort | {{flagicon|USA}} Carlsbad, California, U.S. | 1999 | 2005 | Acquired in Blackstone deal. |- | Legoland Deutschland Resort | {{flagicon|Germany}} Günzburg, Germany | 2002 | 2005 | Acquired in Blackstone deal. |- | Legoland Florida Resort | {{flagicon|USA}} Winter Haven, Florida, U.S. | 2011 | | Formerly Cypress Gardens. |- | Legoland Malaysia Resort | {{flagicon|Malaysia}} Johor Bahru, Malaysia | 2012 | - | New-build theme park. |- | Legoland Dubai Resort | {{flagicon|UAE}} Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates | 2016 | - | Franchised to Dubai Parks and Resorts |- | Legoland Japan Resort | {{flagicon|Japan}} Nagoya, Japan | 2017 | - | New-build theme park. |- |Legoland New York Resort |{{flagicon|USA}} Goshen, New York, U.S. |2021 | - |New-build theme park. |- | Legoland Korea Resort | {{flagicon|South Korea}} Chuncheon, South Korea | 2022 | - | New-build theme park. |- | Legoland Shanghai Resort | {{flagicon|China}} Jinshan, Shanghai, China | 2025 | - | New-build theme park. |}
===Peppa Pig parks (co-products with Hasbro)=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:170px;"| Name ! style="width:220px;"| Location ! Year opened ! Year acquired ! Notes |- | Peppa Pig Theme Park Florida | {{flagicon|USA}} Winter Haven, Florida | 2022 | - |New-build theme park. |- | Peppa Pig Park Günzburg | {{flagicon|Germany}} Günzburg, Bavaria | 2024<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.inparkmagazine.com/germany-to-get-europes-first-stand-alone-peppa-pig-theme-park/ | title=Germany to get Europe's first stand-alone Peppa Pig Theme Park | date=30 June 2023 }}</ref> | - |New-build theme park. |- | Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas-Fort Worth | {{flagicon|USA}} North Richland Hills, Texas | 2025<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.peppapigthemepark.com/dallas-ft-worth/ | title=Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas Ft Worth }}</ref> | - |New-build theme park. |}
===Gateway attractions=== {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:170px;"| Name ! style="width:220px;"| Location(s) ! Year opened ! Year acquired ! Notes |- | Cadbury World | {{flagicon|UK}} Birmingham, UK | 1990 | 2023 | Management contract only. |- | The Dungeons | {{flagicon|UK}} Blackpool<br/>{{flagicon|UK}} London<br/>{{flagicon|UK}} York<br/>{{flagicon|UK}} Edinburgh<br/>{{flagicon|Germany}} Berlin<br/>{{flagicon|Germany}} Hamburg<br/>{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Amsterdam | 2011<br/>1974<br/>1986<br/>2000<br/>2013<br/>2000<br/>2005<br/> | 1999 | Brand & pre-1999 sites acquired in management buyout of Vardon Attractions. Blackpool site franchise only from August 2025. |- | The Eye Brand | {{flagicon|UK}} London<br/>{{flagicon|AUS}} Sydney<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} Orlando | 2000<br/>1981<br/>2015 | 2007<br/>2011<br/>2024 | |- | The Gruffalo & Friends Clubhouse | {{flagicon|UK}} Blackpool | 2023 | | |- | DreamWorks Tours: Shrek's Adventure! |{{flagicon|UK}} London | 2015 | - | Shrek franchise licensed from Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation Studios. |- | Madame Tussauds |{{flagicon|UK}} London<br/>{{flagicon|UK}} Blackpool<br/>{{flagicon|Czechia}} Prague<br/>{{flagicon|Austria}} Vienna<br/>{{flagicon|Germany}} Berlin<br/>{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Amsterdam<br/>{{flagicon|Hungary}} Budapest<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} Hollywood<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} Las Vegas<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} Nashville<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} New York<br/>{{flagicon|USA}} Orlando<br/>{{flagicon|Australia}} Sydney<br/>{{flagicon|China}} Shanghai<br/>{{flagicon|China}} Wuhan<br/>{{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Hong Kong<br/>{{flagicon|Japan}} Tokyo<br/>{{flagicon|Singapore}} Singapore<br/>{{flagicon|Thailand}} Bangkok<br/>{{flagicon|UAE}} Dubai | | 2007 | Brand & pre-2007 sites acquired in Tussauds Group merger. China sites (with exception of Hong Kong), Prague and Budapest are franchise only. Blackpool site franchise only from August 2025. |- |Peppa Pig World of Play |{{flagicon|China}} Shanghai<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Auburn Hills, Michigan<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Grapevine, Texas<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago, Illinois<br />{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Leidschendam |2018<br />2019<br />2019<br />2020<br />2022 | | Shanghai site franchise only. |- |Sea Life |{{flagicon|UK}} Birmingham<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Blackpool<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Brighton<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Great Yarmouth<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Gweek<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Hunstanton<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Manchester<br />{{flagicon|UK}} London<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Scarborough<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Weymouth<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Loch Lomond<br />{{flagicon|Belgium}} Blankenberge<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Hanover<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Konstanz<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Munich<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Oberhausen<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Speyer<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Timmendorfer Strand<br />{{flagicon|Finland}} Helsinki<br />{{flagicon|Italy}} Castelnuovo del Garda<br /> {{flagicon|Italy}} Jesolo<br />{{flagicon|Netherlands}} Scheveningen<br />{{flagicon|Portugal}} Porto<br />{{flagicon|Spain}} Benalmadena<br />{{flagicon|France}} Paris<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Arizona<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Orlando<br />{{flagicon|USA}} New Jersey<br />{{flagicon|USA}} San Antonio<br />{{flagicon|Australia}} Melbourne<br />{{flagicon|Australia}} Mooloolaba (Sunshine Coast)<br />{{flagicon|Australia}} Sydney<br />{{flagicon|New Zealand}} Auckland<br />{{flagicon|China}} Shanghai<br />{{flagicon|Japan}} Nagoya<br />{{flagicon|Malaysia}} Iskandar Puteri<br />{{flagicon|South Korea}} Busan<br />{{flagicon|Thailand}} Bangkok | | 1999 | Brand & pre-1999 sites acquired in management buyout of Vardon Attractions. Shanghai site franchise only. |- | Warwick Castle | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} United Kingdom | 1978 | 2007 | Acquired in Tussauds Group merger. |- |}
=== Future locations === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Name !Location !Planned opening |- |Legoland Sichuan |{{flagicon|China}} Chengdu, Sichuan, China |2025 |- |Legoland Shenzhen Resort |{{flagicon|China}} Shenzhen, China |2027 |- |Legoland Beijing Resort |{{flagicon|China}} Fangshan District, Beijing, China |2028 |}
=== Former locations === {|class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="width:170px;"| Name ! style="width:220px;"| Location ! Opened ! Acquired ! Fate ! Closed/sold ! Notes |- | Abenteuer Park Oberhausen | {{flagicon|Germany}} Oberhausen, Germany | 1996 | 2011 | Closed | 2015 | Formerly known as CentrO.Park (1996–2011) & Sea Life Abenteuer Park (2013). |- | The Bear Grylls Adventure | {{flagicon|UK}} Birmingham, UK | 2018 | | Closed | 2024 | |- | Blackpool Tower | {{flagicon|UK}} Blackpool, UK | 1894 | 2011 | | 2025 | Management contract from Blackpool Council from 2011. Take-over by Blackpool Tourism Ltd in August 2025. |- | Earth Explorer | {{flagicon|Belgium}} Ostend, Belgium | 2004 | | Sold | 2013 | |- | Falls Creek ski resort | {{flagicon|Australia}} Victoria, Australia | 1946 | 2011 | Sold | 2019 | Acquired in MFS Living and Leisure deal. Sold to Vail Resorts in 2019. |- | Hotham Alpine Resort | {{flagicon|Australia}} Victoria, Australia | 1925 | 2011 | Sold | 2019 | Ski resort acquired in MFS Living and Leisure deal. Sold to Vail Resorts in 2019. |- | Illawarra Fly | {{flagicon|AUS}} Australia | 2005 | 2016 | Sold<ref name="Treetops sale Blooloop">{{cite web |last1=Mitchell |first1=Bea |title=Merlin announces sale through EOI of two Australian attractions |url=https://blooloop.com/play/news/merlin-entertainments-otway-illawarra-fly-australia-sale/ |website=Blooloop |publisher=Blooloop |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref> | 2024 | |- | Little Big City | {{flagicon|Germany}} Berlin, Germany<br/>{{flagicon|China}} Beijing, China | 2017<br/>2018 | | Closed | 2024<ref name="Little Big City closure">{{cite web |title=Little BIG City Berlin |url=https://www.berlin-welcomecard.de/en/partner/little-big-city-berlin |website=Berlin Welcomecard |access-date=24 September 2025}}</ref> | |- | Legoland Discovery Centre Duisburg | {{flagicon|Germany}} Duisburg, Germany | 2007 | | Closed | 2013 | Moved to Oberhausen after a few years. |- | Legoland Discovery Centre Hotham | {{flagicon|Australia}} Mt Hotham, AZ at Hotham Alpine Resort | 2018 | | Closed | 2018 | |- |Legoland Discovery Centre Istanbul |{{flagicon|Turkey}} Istanbul |2015 | |Closed<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Merlin Entertainments to close three attractions in Türkiye, including Madame Tussauds |url=https://www.turkiyetoday.com/business/merlin-entertainments-to-close-three-attractions-in-turkiye-including-madame-tussauds-99688 |access-date=2025-08-26 |website=Türkiye Today |language=en}}</ref> |2024 | |- |LEGO Discovery Centres |{{flagicon|UK}} Birmingham at Arena Birmingham<br />{{flagicon|UK}} Manchester at the Trafford Centre<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Berlin at The Center Potsdamer Platz<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Hamburg<br />{{flagicon|Germany}} Oberhausen<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Phoenix at Arizona Mills<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Atlanta at Phipps Plaza<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Bay Area (San Jose) at Great Mall of the Bay Area<br />{{flagicon|USA}}<br />Boston<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Chicago at The Streets of Woodfield<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} Columbus at Easton Town Center<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Dallas Fort Worth at Grapevine Mills<br />{{flagicon|USA}} Kansas City at Crown Center<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} Michigan at the Great Lakes Crossing Outlets<br />{{flagicon|USA}} New Jersey at American Dream Meadowlands<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} Philadelphia at the Plymouth Meeting Mall<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} Westchester (New York) at Westchester's Ridge Hill<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} Washington at Springfield Town Center<br /> {{flagicon|USA}} San Antonio at the Shops at Rivercenter<br /> {{flagicon|Canada}} Toronto at Vaughan Mills<br /> {{flagicon|Australia}} Melbourne at the Chadstone Shopping Centre<br /> {{flagicon|Hong Kong}} Hong Kong<br />{{flagicon|Japan}} Osaka {{flagicon|Japan}} Tokyo<br /> {{flagicon|Netherlands}} Scheveningen<br /> {{flagicon|Belgium}} Brussels<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-08-30|title=Merlin to take Legoland Discovery Centres to Belgium with deal for Brussels site {{!}} attractionsmanagement.com news|url=http://www.attractionsmanagement.com/news.cfm?codeID=347987|access-date=2022-02-21|website=attractionsmanagement.com/}}</ref> | | | Sold | 2026 | All sold to Lego Group in February 2026. |- | London Planetarium | {{flagicon|UK}} London | 1958 | 2007 | Closed | 2010 | Incorporated as part of Madame Tussauds London as other attractions. |- | Madame Tussauds Delhi | {{flagicon|India}} New Delhi | 2017 | | Closed | 2020 | Closed after COVID-19 pandemic, relocated to Noida in 2022. |- | Madame Tussauds Washington DC | {{flagicon|USA}} Washington D.C. | 2007 | | Closed | 2021<ref>{{Cite web |title=Madame Tussauds aims to sublease D.C. wax museum|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/washington/news/2021/07/19/madame-tussauds-aims-to-sublease-dc-wax-museum.html |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=bizjournals.com}}</ref> | Closed after COVID-19 pandemic, never re-opened. |- | Madame Tussauds India at DLF Mall of India | {{flagicon|India}} Noida | 2022 | | Closed | 2023 | Relocated from Madame Tussauds Delhi. |- | Madame Tussauds San Francisco | {{flagicon|USA}} San Francisco | 2014 | | Closed | 2024 | |- | Madame Tussauds Istanbul | {{flagicon|Turkey}} Istanbul | 2016 | | Closed<ref name=":0" /> | 2024 | |- | Madame Tussauds Chongqing | {{flagicon|China}} Chongqing | 2016 | | Closed<ref name="iChongqing Closed">{{cite web |last1=Zheng |first1=Ran |title=Chongqing Bids Farewell to Madame Tussauds After Nearly a Decade |url=https://www.ichongqing.info/2025/05/14/chongqing-bids-farewell-to-madame-tussauds-after-nearly-a-decade/#:~:text=Madame%20Tussauds%20Chongqing%20closed%20after%20nearly%20nine,wax%20figure%20museum%20has%20now%20paused%20its |website=iChongqing |access-date=18 July 2025}}</ref> | 2025 | |- | Madame Tussauds Beijing | {{flagicon|China}} Beijing | 2014 | | Closed | 2025 | |- | Otway Fly | {{flagicon|AUS}} Australia | 2003 | 2016 | Sold | 2024<ref name="Treetops sale Blooloop"></ref> | |- | Peter Rabbit: Explore and Play | {{flagicon|UK}} Blackpool | 2022 | | | 2025 | Take-over by Blackpool Tourism Ltd in August 2025. |- | The San Francisco Dungeon | {{flagicon|USA}} San Francisco | 2014 | | Closed | 2022<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-14 |title=The 'San Francisco Dungeon' at Fisherman's Wharf Has Spooked Its Last Tourist |url=https://sfist.com/2022/02/14/the-spooky-san-francisco-dungeon-at-fishermans-wharf-has-scared-its-last-tourist/ |access-date=2022-03-15 |website=SFist – San Francisco News, Restaurants, Events, & Sports|archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311080008/https://sfist.com/2022/02/14/the-spooky-san-francisco-dungeon-at-fishermans-wharf-has-scared-its-last-tourist/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | Closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, never re-opened. |- | The Shanghai Dungeon | {{flagicon|China}} Shanghai | 2018 | | Closed | 2024 | |- | Sea Life Berlin | {{flagicon|Germany}} Berlin | | | Closed | 2024<ref name="Sea Life Berlin closure">{{cite web |title=Sea Life Berlin |url=https://www.berlin-welcomecard.de/en/partner/sea-life-berlin |website=Berlin Welcomecard |access-date=24 September 2025}}</ref> | |- | Sea Life Bray Aquarium | {{flagicon|IE}} Bray, Ireland | 1998 | | Closed | 2023 | |- | Sea Life Hastings | {{flagicon|UK}} Hastings, England | 2008 | | Sold | 2012 | Now belongs to the Blue Reef Aquarium chain. |- | Sea Life Istanbul | {{flagicon|Turkey}} Istanbul | 2009 | | Closed<ref name=":0" /> | 2024 | |- | Sea Life Königswinter | {{flagicon|Germany}} Königswinter | | | Closed | 2023<ref name="Sea Life Königswinter closure">{{cite web |title=Sea Life Königswinter is now closed |url=https://www.visitsealife.com/de/koewi-future-landing-page/ |website=Visit Sea Life |access-date=24 September 2025}}</ref> | |- | Sea Life St Andrews | {{flagicon|UK}} St Andrews, Scotland | 1999 | TBA | Sold | TBA | Now operates as the St. Andrews Aquarium. |- | Manly Sea Life Sanctuary | {{flagicon|Australia}} Manly, Australia | 1965 | 2010 | Closed | 2018<ref>{{cite web|title=Manly Sea Life Sanctuary closes its doors after 55 years|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/manly-sea-life-sanctuary-closes-its-doors-after-55-years-20180128-h0pjy4.html|date=28 January 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=14 September 2022}}</ref> | |- | Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary | {{flagicon|UK}} Oban, Scotland | 1979 | | Closed | 2018 | |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://www.merlinentertainments.biz}}
{{Blackstone Companies}} {{Merlin attractions}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Merlin Entertainments Group Category:Entertainment companies established in 1998 Category:British companies established in 1998 Category:Leisure companies of the United Kingdom Category:Companies based in Poole Category:Private equity portfolio companies Category:Amusement park companies Category:Blackstone Inc. companies Category:CVC Capital Partners companies Category:Companies formerly listed on the London Stock Exchange Category:2005 mergers and acquisitions Category:2013 initial public offerings Category:2019 mergers and acquisitions Category:Companies formed by management buyout Category:Legoland Category:1998 establishments in England