Charlotte’s Fury 325 roller coaster has been named the world’s best steel coaster for the ninth year in a row, earning the prestigious Best Steel Coaster Award from Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards.
Fury 325, which debuted in 2015, towers 325 feet high and reaches speeds of 95 miles per hour. Known for its steep drops, high-speed turns, and smooth ride experience, it continues to set the standard for ‘giga-coaster’ design.
The annual Golden Ticket Awards are decided by a panel of global amusement park experts, who praised the ride’s enduring engineering excellence and popularity among thrill-seekers.
Carowinds officials highlighted the award as a point of pride for the park, which straddles the North Carolina–South Carolina line. The win also adds momentum to Carowinds’ new chapter as part of the Six Flags chain, following last year’s merger between Six Flags and Cedar Fair. The combined $8 billion company now operates 42 amusement parks and 9 resorts across North America and trades publicly on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol FUN.
The recognition extended across the Six Flags family. Sister park Six Flags Fiesta Texas earned Best New Show for Voodoo Dolls, while Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles received the Publisher’s Pick Turnstile Award for its 30th anniversary transformation. Additional honors included the Renaissance Award for Myrtle Beach’s Family Kingdom, credited with preserving the local park, and Supplier of the Year for Eli Bridge Company, a longtime Ferris wheel and ride manufacturer.
With Fury 325’s latest accolade, Charlotte remains home to one of the top thrill rides in the world — a title that continues to draw roller coaster enthusiasts from across the globe.
