Madrid City Council has opened a public tender for the operation of Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, marking the first time the concession has gone to open competition since 1967.
The upcoming transition brings an end to nearly six decades of continuous management by Parques Reunidos, whose current concession expires in September 2027. The new operating agreement will span a non-extendable duration of eight years, running from September 2027 until October 5, 2035.
Key Terms and Investment Requirements
The municipal administration has structured the tender to prioritise heavy reinvestment, sustainability, and visitor accessibility while placing full operational and financial risk on the incoming concessionaire without municipal subsidies or loan guarantees.
Prospective operators face strict qualification hurdles, requiring a demonstrated track record of welcoming over 500,000 visitors annually and a minimum annual turnover of 13 million euros. Such criteria narrow the competitive field to major European attractions players, with industry watchers eyeing established groups such as current operators Parques Reunidos, Aspro Parks, Looping Group, Compagnie des Alpes, and Merlin Entertainments.
The financial framework of the tender requires the winning operator to pay a guaranteed base rental fee to the city of 400,000 euros each year (which increases by two percent annually to match inflation), alongside an additional eight percent cut of the park's total ticket and in-park revenue. Furthermore, bidders must commit to a substantial capital expenditure plan:
- Minimum Investment: A mandatory minimum investment of 15 million euros during the first three years, with evaluable proposals scaling up to 40 million euros.
- Allocation Breakdown: Investments are weighted across three core pillars, with 80 percent dedicated to new attractions and renovations, 10 percent to accessibility improvements, and 10 percent to energy efficiency.
- Scoring Criteria: Bids will be evaluated out of 100 points, with 60 percent awarded for the investment plan, 12 percent for the economic canon, 12 percent for discounted ticketing rates targeted at families, children, seniors, and visitors with special needs, and eight percent for free benefits, including complimentary electric mobility scooters and up to 6,000 tickets allocated for the city council.
Preserving Heritage Within Strict Environmental Boundaries
Opened on May 15, 1969, Parque de Atracciones de Madrid has evolved and introduced landmark coasters such as Abismo and Tarántula alongside the Nickelodeon themed family zone. Welcoming approximately one million visitors annually, the park remains a cornerstone of the Spanish capital's leisure landscape.
The upcoming administration must balance modernisation with heritage conservation. The tender explicitly mandates the protection, maintenance, and careful restoration of the park's historic 1927 carousel, a handcrafted French art deco masterpiece that cannot be demolished or structurally altered. Additionally, strict urban planning rules dictate that new construction work cannot expand the park's existing built footprint, and overall green and landscaped spaces must remain entirely protected.
As the countdown to September 2027 continues, the new tender offers a unique opportunity for major attractions operators to redefine the future of one of Europe's most enduring urban theme parks.
