Six Flags has agreed to pay $11.2 million to resolve a class-action lawsuit alleging the amusement park powerhouse blindsided ticket buyers with deceptive processing charges. The deal opens the door for over 1.4 million California customers to collect payouts. It also thrusts Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce—a prominent investor and ambassador for the conglomerate—into the harsh glow of consumer pricing scrutiny, though the NFL star faces no personal legal liability.
The mechanics of the alleged scheme were straightforward. Fans browsed admission passes at advertised rates, spent time selecting dates, and advanced to checkout—only to find an unadvertised processing fee tacked onto their total bill. Lead plaintiff Sargis Isayan sued Cedar Fair in June 2024, accusing the operator of unlawful drip pricing. Cedar Fair merged with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation one month later in July 2024, pulling the parks and the legal baggage under a single corporate umbrella.
Six Flags admitted no wrongdoing in the settlement. Instead, the company opted to settle the litigation before trial costs and brand damage ballooned.
The pact covers visitors who purchased non-season tickets online between June 28, 2020, and July 1, 2024, using a California billing ZIP code and paying an added processing surcharge. The targeted venues include Knott's Berry Farm, Knott's Soak City, and California's Great America.
| Settlement Parameter | Verified Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Settlement Fund | $11.2 Million |
| Total Eligible Consumers | 1,405,235 California buyers |
| Payout Per Valid Claim | $8 Cash or $8 Future Ticket Voucher |
| Qualifying Purchase Window | June 28, 2020 – July 1, 2024 |
| Claim Submission Deadline | December 22, 2026 |
| Final Approval Hearing | March 30, 2027 |
Customers who file a valid claim form at the official settlement portal before the deadline will receive an $8 cash distribution. Those who take no action will receive an automatic $8 voucher valid for 36 months toward future ticket purchases, provided their transaction meets the class certification criteria.
For Kelce, the timing brings unwelcome headlines away from the gridiron. The three-time Super Bowl champion built an expansive business portfolio beyond football, backing Six Flags as both an equity investor and brand front-man. While court filings make clear Kelce had zero involvement in setting park pricing software or orchestrating ticket surcharges, high-profile athlete endorsements inevitably pull sports figures into corporate controversies.
The settlement remains contingent on judicial sign-off. Superior Court authorities have scheduled the final fairness hearing for March 30, 2027, where the judge will determine whether the $11.2 million deal provides fair and adequate relief for more than 1.4 million aggrieved park-goers.