And They're Off! Kentucky Kingdom Announces Record-Breaking Midnight Showdown Roller Coaster for 2027

Midnight Showdown Anchors an All-New Kentucky Kingdom, Capping Nearly $50 Million Theme Park Transformation

LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--MEDIA KIT

Kentucky Kingdom is off to the races in 2027 with Midnight Showdown, The World’s Largest Indoor Wooden Roller Coaster. The park’s seventh coaster overall, this family-friendly, horse racing-themed wooden coaster is the centerpiece of Bluegrass Downs, a new land inspired by Kentucky’s horse racing legacy. Set to open in spring of 2027, the coaster will feature 1,130 feet of pure wood track, two trains with seats for 10 riders each, and will stand more than three stories tall. Midnight Showdown marks the latest addition to a theme park transformation five years in the making.

When guests walk through the gates on Opening Day 2027, they’ll meet the new Kentucky Kingdom theme park, anchored by the Midnight Showdown coaster and two new lands, Bluegrass Downs and Happy Valley Farm. Since Herschend acquired Kentucky Kingdom in 2021, the company has invested nearly $50 million to reshape the park from the ground up, the largest transformation in Kentucky Kingdom's history, bringing reimagined rides and attractions, new, immersive theming, and revitalized guest areas throughout the park.

Since acquiring the property, Herschend has added Flying Fox, the park's suspended family coaster that debuted in May 2026; Discovery Meadow, a new land featuring three new attractions and 24 reimagined rides and experiences; and extended the park's calendar with Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom and Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom. In 2027, Midnight Showdown and the two new lands will complete the theme park section transformation, bringing an entirely new look and feel to Kentucky Kingdom.

Constructed by The Gravity Group of Cincinnati, the Midnight Showdown roller coaster charges guests into the night, guided by pounding hooves and a booming call of "And they're off!" The coaster will be the centerpiece of Bluegrass Downs. The newly themed area completely reimagines five existing rides to complement a racing-inspired setting, with white fences, grand spires and jockey-silk colors, bringing the excitement of Kentucky's legendary horse races to life.

Happy Valley Farm completes the Kentucky Kingdom theme park transformation, celebrating the sunny side of Kentucky farm life. Home to Flying Fox, the land brings the barnyard to life with eight reimagined rides such as Friendly Frogs, Loopy Lambs, and Country Cruisers. A barn sits at the land's center, surrounded by sunflowers and farm outposts, with bluegrass music and red gingham banners setting the scene.

“We've been building toward this for years, and 2027 is the moment guests will see just how far Kentucky Kingdom has come," said Carly Uglow, Director of Sales and Marketing at Kentucky Kingdom. "From two brand-new roller coasters and reimagined lands to refreshed rides and new theming throughout the park, this is a very different Kentucky Kingdom than guests may remember from years past. We encourage everyone to come out and visit the all-new Kentucky Kingdom.”

2027 season passes are available now at kentuckykingdom.com for as low as $69.99, giving guests access to the entire 2027 season plus the rest of 2026 for FREE, including Christmas at Kentucky Kingdom, one of the park's signature seasonal events complete with over 1.5 million lights, the largest snow tubing hill in Kentucky, 300 Christmas trees, holiday décor, themed entertainment, food offerings and more. Pricing and payment plan details are available online.

About Kentucky Kingdom

Kentucky Kingdom Theme and Water Park is Kentucky’s largest amusement and water park in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky. Spanning 67 acres, it offers family-friendly entertainment with over 70 rides and attractions – including one of the region's largest selections of children’s rides (King Louie’s Playland), six world-class roller coasters, and two giant wave pools. Learn more at kentuckykingdom.com.

About Herschend

Kentucky Kingdom is part of Herschend’s family of brands. Herschend is the world’s largest family-held themed attractions company, with a portfolio of over 40 family entertainment brands across North America, including destinations, resorts, theme parks, water parks, immersive experiences, and content enjoyed by audiences worldwide. For more information, visit www.Herschend.com.