Forget the sprawling mega-parks of Orlando or the high-tech marvels of Japan. The best theme park in the world, according to the 2026 Park World Excellence Awards, is a 130-year-old seaside resort in the north of England. Blackpool Pleasure Beach has taken the top prize, beating out heavyweights from across the globe and becoming the first UK park to claim the coveted title.
The award, known as the "Best of the Best," recognizes outstanding achievement in the amusement industry. Previous winners include Germany's Europa-Park, Sweden's Liseberg, and Siam Park in Tenerife. For Blackpool, it caps a remarkable journey from a Victorian-era pleasure garden to a modern thrill-seeker's paradise.
A Century of Thrills on the Lancashire Coast
Founded in 1896, Pleasure Beach has always been about pushing boundaries. Its most famous ride, The Big One, was once the tallest and steepest rollercoaster in the world. Today, the park blends these historic attractions with newer additions, creating a mix that appeals to both nostalgia seekers and adrenaline junkies. There's also the UK's only Nickelodeon Land, where kids can meet SpongeBob SquarePants and the PAW Patrol crew.
The park's latest addition, Aviktas, has already made waves. This rotating pendulum ride swings passengers 42 metres into the air, making it the largest ride of its kind in the UK. It opened in May 2026 after an £8.7 million investment, and it has already been named "Best Ride of the Year" at the same awards ceremony.
Why Blackpool Won the Crown
Judges didn't just look at the rides. They considered the park's sustained success and its contribution to the industry over more than a century. CEO Amanda Thompson OBE called the win a "massive achievement," noting that the recognition speaks to the dedication that has kept the park moving forward for 130 years. She also praised Aviktas as a "hugely valuable addition" that has delighted visitors since opening.
For travellers, this award is a reminder that you don't need to fly to Dubai or California for a world-class theme park experience. Blackpool offers a distinctly British take on the amusement park, complete with the bracing sea air and a dose of northern charm. And with the park open through much of autumn, including the Halloween-themed Journey to Hell experience in October, there's plenty of reason to plan a visit.
If you're looking for other theme park adventures, you might want to check out the Dragon Ball Z theme park coming to Paris or the football-themed park planned for Portugal. But for now, the crown sits firmly on Blackpool's head.
Getting there is easier than you might think. Blackpool has its own airport with flights from several UK cities, and the town is well-connected by rail. If you're travelling from further afield, you could combine a visit with a broader tour of the UK. Just be prepared for the crowds, because this award is likely to make a popular park even busier.
The Park World Excellence Awards cover Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, with categories ranging from waterparks to live entertainment. Blackpool's win is a testament to the enduring appeal of a park that has been thrilling visitors since the reign of Queen Victoria. It's a story of survival, innovation, and pure, unadulterated fun.
