Water parks are heading into a particularly interesting few years, with major new destinations, record-breaking slides and large resort expansions all currently in development.
Some of the biggest projects are arriving in Europe, including the long-awaited reopening of Oceana at Liseberg, while huge investments are also taking place across Austria, the United States and the UK.
Here are some of the biggest new water park attractions and developments currently on the way.
Oceana Water World - Liseberg, Sweden - 2027
One of Europe's most anticipated water park projects is finally expected to welcome guests in 2027.
Oceana Water World was originally approaching completion when a major fire devastated the attraction in February 2024. Liseberg subsequently committed to rebuilding the project, with construction now underway once again.
The finished water world will cover around 13,600 square metres and include approximately 6,000 square metres of indoor pools alongside 4,000 square metres of outdoor water areas.
There will be 14 water attractions in total, including four major attractions, a wave pool, family river and water play areas.
Among the headline rides will be Europe's first six-person water slide and what manufacturer WhiteWater describes as the world's highest mega-drop Master Blaster, launching from a height of 16.4 metres.
Oceana will be able to accommodate up to 1,750 guests during the summer and is scheduled to open in 2027.
Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg - Austria
Austria's Sonnentherme Lutzmannsburg is preparing for one of the largest water attraction expansions currently planned in Central Europe.
The resort is investing around €30 million in its next phase of development, including a major expansion of its waterslide offering.
WhiteWater has confirmed that five new attractions will form part of the project.
The investment follows a record year for the wider resort and is designed to significantly expand the water park's attraction line-up while also improving the site's sustainability and energy infrastructure.
A final opening date for the full expansion has not yet been announced, but it is one of the largest European water park projects currently in development.
Kalahari Aquadome - Wisconsin Dells, USA - October 2026
One of the biggest indoor water park expansions in the United States is almost ready to open.
Kalahari Resorts is adding a $85 million, 75,000-square-foot extension to its Wisconsin Dells water park, with the new Aquadome scheduled to open on 10 October 2026.
The expansion will feature a retractable roof and three headline slide experiences.
Zambezi Rapids is being promoted as the world's first enclosed Boomerango-style water slide, sending six riders through an enclosed course before climbing a near-vertical wall.
Viper Venom will also carry up to six riders, while Nile River Racers will allow four guests to race one another.
The project also includes an interactive children's water playground, family whirlpool, zero-depth pool and a new adult swim-up bar.
Therme Manchester - UK - late 2028
The UK's most significant new water-based leisure project is now firmly under construction.
Therme Manchester is being built at TraffordCity and is scheduled for completion in late 2028.
Rather than operating as a traditional water park, the destination will combine large-scale water attractions with wellbeing, relaxation and botanical environments.
Its family-focused Play area will include next-generation waterslides, a wave pool, an outdoor beach, warm-water pools and other water-based experiences.
Separate adults-only areas will focus more heavily on thermal bathing, saunas, steam rooms and wellbeing treatments.
Therme Group says the destination is expected to become the largest water-based wellbeing destination in Europe.
The project has been through several redesigns and schedule changes since it was first announced, but construction is now progressing and the developer is targeting late 2028.
What about Aquarabia?
One project that would previously have dominated this list is Aquarabia at Qiddiya City in Saudi Arabia.
However, Aquarabia is no longer an upcoming attraction. The water theme park officially opened to the public in April 2026.
The park features 22 rides and experiences across eight themed zones, including four record-breaking attractions.
Its line-up includes major water slides, a surf lagoon and several water-based amusement rides, making it one of the most ambitious purpose-built water parks to open in recent years.
A big few years for water parks
What stands out about the current wave of water park investment is the scale of the projects involved.
New developments are increasingly combining traditional slides with large themed environments, resort accommodation, wellness spaces and more sophisticated ride systems.
Oceana should be one of the biggest European openings of 2027, while Therme Manchester could significantly change the UK's water-based leisure market when it eventually opens.
With several other projects still waiting to reveal their full attraction line-ups, the next few years could bring even more major announcements.
