Major Australian parks operator Ardent Leisure is involved in a major partnership with RedBird Capital Partners for its Main Event Entertainment, the leading US-based FEC operation.
On Monday there was a US$80m investment announced that will see the acquisition of 24.2 per cent interest in Main Event through a preferred equity investment into Ardent’s US subsidiary.
RedBird has the option to acquire an additional 26.8 per cent interest at a future date. The deal will help Ardent as it secures a partnership with a leading US private investment company that will enhance Main Event’s liquidity and capacity to invest in future growth.
To date, 28 of the 48 Main Event FECs in the US have reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic.
RedBird’s investment into Main Event and the option to acquire more means that it may eventually take a controlling interest in Main Event between July 2022 and July 2024.
Ardent has a portfolio of over 100 assets across Australia, New Zealand and the US, notably with the Dreamworld theme park and the WhiteWater World water park on the Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia.
