Overview
- Amusement Today ran the 2026 Golden Ticket Awards using more than 500 international ballots to decide winners across 22 categories at COTALand in Austin on Sept. 12, 2026.
- Dollywood was the biggest winner, earning four Golden Tickets for Most Beautiful Park, Best Family Coaster (Big Bear Mountain), Best Guest Experience, and Best Kids Area (Wildwood Grove).
- Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari claimed Best Water Park for the first time and also won Best Water Park Ride (Mammoth) plus Best Wooden Roller Coaster (The Voyage).
- Legoland’s Galacticoaster took Best New Theme Concept while Six Flags Qiddiya’s Falcons Flight won Best New Roller Coaster and Best New Attraction Installation and was noted for record-setting length, height, and speed.
- Longstanding favorites held ground with Europa‑Park again named Best Park and Fury 325 at Carowinds winning Best Steel Coaster for a tenth straight year, a mix that signals steady benchmarks even as new concepts and international projects shift industry attention.