Goliath is the 200-foot Bolliger & Mabillard hypercoaster anchoring the USA section of Six Flags Over Georgia — a no-inversions, all-airtime machine built for speed and floating hills rather than loops.
This guide covers everything riders search for: exact stats, what the ride actually feels like, the height requirement, realistic wait times, how Goliath stacks up against other steel coasters, and — because it’s directly relevant right now — the ride’s current operating status.
Quick Answer
Goliath stands 200 feet tall, drops 170 feet off the lift hill, and hits 70 mph along 4,480 feet of track with zero inversions. It opened April 1, 2006, was built by Bolliger & Mabillard for $20 million, and requires riders to be at least 54 inches tall. As of this writing, Goliath is temporarily closed following a fatal incident on October 12, 2026, while state investigators review the ride — check the official Six Flags Over Georgia site for its current status before planning a visit around it.
Goliath by the Numbers
Height: 200 ft (61 m) | First drop: 170 ft (52 m) | Top speed: 70 mph (113 km/h) | Track length: 4,480 ft (1,370 m) | Ride duration: about 3 minutes 30 seconds | Inversions: 0 | Opened: April 1, 2006 | Manufacturer: Bolliger & Mabillard | Cost: $20 million | Height requirement: 54 inches (137 cm) | Trains: 2, with 9 cars each seating 4 across (36 riders per train), for a rated hourly capacity around 1,220 riders.
Those two trains are worth noting: with a modest fleet size relative to its length, Goliath’s hourly throughput is lower than many modern coasters, which is the main reason its line can swing from a walk-on to a long wait within the same day.
The Ride Experience
Goliath follows a classic out-and-back layout. The lift hill climbs to 200 feet, then the train plunges 170 feet at a steep angle — reaching roughly a 59-degree pitch — hitting 70 mph before it’s even level with the ground. From there, six consecutive camelback hills deliver sustained airtime as the train crests each one.
Trains seat riders four across with individual lap-bar restraints rather than rigid shoulder harnesses, so even center-seat riders get an open, unobstructed view of the Georgia tree line during the climb and descent. The finale is a 540-degree helix that pins riders with up to 4 Gs of positive force — the direct counterpoint to all the weightlessness on the hills leading into it, and the signature of B&M’s hypercoaster formula.
Height Requirement and Who Can Ride
Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall to ride Goliath, with no maximum height accommodation beyond standard restraint fit. Six Flags Over Georgia lists it at its highest thrill-intensity tier, so it’s built for guests comfortable with steep drops, sustained airtime, and strong G-forces rather than a first-time or family coaster.
Because the restraints are lap bars rather than over-the-shoulder harnesses, riders with mobility, size, or fit concerns should review the ride’s accessibility and restraint notes on the park’s official attraction page before visiting.
Is Goliath Scary or Rough?
Goliath is intense but not disorienting — there are no inversions, so riders stay upright the entire time. The main sensations are the steep 170-foot first drop, repeated stomach-drop airtime on the camelbacks, and the pinning G-forces of the closing helix. Ride quality has generally held up well for a coaster from 2006, consistent with B&M’s reputation for smooth, low-vibration trains — a contrast to the rougher wooden and older steel coasters elsewhere in the park.
Is Goliath Open Right Now?
On October 12, 2026, a 42-year-old guest was ejected from Goliath during the ride and died; the incident also injured other riders nearby. Six Flags closed Goliath immediately and, as a precaution, paused several similar lap-bar-restraint B&M coasters at sister parks across North America while Georgia’s state safety inspectors and Cobb County investigators review what happened.
The rest of Six Flags Over Georgia, including its other roller coasters, reopened to the public within the week. Goliath itself has no announced reopening date. Six Flags has said the ride passed its routine annual inspections every year from 2016 through 2026, with the most recent inspection flagging only a bushing replacement — a maintenance item, not a structural issue — though investigators have not yet published a cause. If you’re planning a visit specifically to ride Goliath, check the official Six Flags Over Georgia site for its current operating status first, since closures tied to active investigations can last anywhere from days to months.
Wait Times and the Best Time to Ride
Under normal operation, wait times on Goliath swing dramatically over the course of a day — often just a couple of minutes at opening, climbing to 30-60 minutes by mid-afternoon and evening on busy weekends. With only two trains in rotation, the line can build quickly once crowds arrive, and any ride stoppage tends to cause a noticeable backup.
For the shortest wait once the ride is running again, aim for the first hour the park is open, a scheduled parade or fireworks show, or a weekday visit outside peak summer season. The Six Flags Over Georgia app and website normally show live wait times, but confirm Goliath is actually operating before you build a touring plan around it.
Records, Rankings, and Awards
In its debut season, Goliath placed fourth among all new rides worldwide in Amusement Today’s Golden Ticket Awards, an industry ranking voted on by park professionals and enthusiasts. In later years it climbed the outlet’s Top Steel Coaster rankings, peaking at fourth overall in both 2009 and 2011 — a strong showing in a category usually dominated by larger, more heavily themed installations.
Note that several other Six Flags parks — including Six Flags Great America near Chicago — also operate coasters named Goliath, each with different stats and manufacturers. The Six Flags Over Georgia version is the B&M hypercoaster described here, distinct from those other rides.
Planning Your Visit
Goliath is a fixed part of Six Flags Over Georgia’s standard park admission — no separate ticket is required to ride. The park sells several ticket tiers through its official site, from single-day Park Tickets (cheaper booked online in advance than at the gate) to Gold Pass memberships that bundle year-round, multi-park admission with parking and discounts; seasonal bundles are also sold around events like Fright Fest. Parking is typically a separate add-on unless your ticket or pass includes it.
Park hours shift seasonally, running shorter on weekdays in early spring and fall and extending into the evening during summer and around major holidays. For current hours, ticket pricing, parking rates, and any ride closures — including Goliath’s — check the park’s official hours page and ticket page before you go.
Soak, snap and drape. A cooling towel takes the edge off a 45-minute midday queue in July.
Park apps, mobile ordering and photos kill a battery by 3 p.m. This one snaps on magnetically, so there's no cable to snag on a restraint.
Ride with your glasses on and keep them. Many parks allow glasses on rides if they're strapped, so check the ride rules first.
Goliath (Six Flags Over Georgia) FAQs
How tall is Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia?
Goliath stands 200 feet (61 m) tall, with a first drop of 170 feet (52 m) off the lift hill that carries the train to its top speed of 70 mph.
How fast does Goliath go?
Goliath reaches a top speed of 70 mph (113 km/h), hit at the bottom of the first 170-foot drop.
Does Goliath have any loops or inversions?
No. Goliath has zero inversions. It delivers its thrills through six airtime-filled camelback hills and a 540-degree helix rather than loops.
What is the height requirement to ride Goliath?
Riders must be at least 54 inches (137 cm) tall to ride Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia.
Is Goliath open right now at Six Flags Over Georgia?
Goliath has been closed since October 12, 2026, following a fatal incident, while state investigators review the ride. The rest of the park reopened within the week, but Goliath has no announced reopening date — check the official Six Flags Over Georgia site for its current status.
What happened to Goliath in October 2026?
A guest was ejected from the ride and died, with other riders also injured, prompting Six Flags to close Goliath and pause several similar coasters at sister parks as a precaution while Georgia safety officials investigate.
Who manufactured Goliath?
Goliath was built by Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M), the Swiss firm known for smooth, high-capacity steel coasters, and opened on April 1, 2006 at a cost of $20 million.
Why do Goliath’s wait times vary so much?
Goliath runs only two trains, so its hourly capacity is lower than many modern coasters — lines can jump from a walk-on in the morning to 30-60 minutes by afternoon on busy days.
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