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Imagicaaworld to invest Rs 1,000 crore in expansion over six years
Theme park operator targets 13 parks as demand for leisure experiences grows
MUMBAI: India’s appetite for thrills is no longer just on the rides, it’s showing up in balance sheets too. Betting big on the country’s booming experience economy, Imagicaaworld Entertainment plans to invest up to $104 million (around Rs 1,000 crore) over the next five to six years to expand its network of amusement parks across major Indian cities.
According to a Reuters report, the company will target Tier-1 markets including Bengaluru, Hyderabad and the National Capital Region (NCR) as it seeks to capitalise on rising consumer spending on leisure and entertainment.
Speaking to Reuters, Managing Director Jai Malpani said improving infrastructure and increasing disposable incomes are making India’s largest cities attractive destinations for large-scale entertainment projects.
Imagicaaworld currently operates parks in locations including Lonavala, Indore and Surat, and plans to grow its portfolio from nine parks to 13 parks through the proposed investment programme.
The expansion aligns with strong growth projections for India’s amusement park industry. According to Grand View Research, the sector’s revenue is expected to increase from $6.96 billion in 2026 to $11.36 billion by 2033, as consumers increasingly prioritise spending on experiences over physical goods.
While planning its next phase of growth, the company is also focused on restoring profitability after a challenging financial year. It intends to raise ticket prices by 5 per cent to 8 per cent during the December quarter while reducing discounts to offset rising labour and electricity costs.
Imagicaaworld expects FY27 revenue growth to remain in the high single-digit to double-digit percentage range, with EBITDA margins projected between 40 per cent and 43 per cent.
The recovery follows a weaker FY26, when revenue from operations declined 9 per cent to Rs 374 crore, while EBITDA margin narrowed sharply to 31 per cent from 42.8 per cent a year earlier. The company attributed the slowdown to an early monsoon and disruptions arising from the India-Pakistan conflict, both of which dampened visitor footfalls during the crucial summer holiday season.
The investment signals growing confidence in India’s fast-expanding leisure market, where consumers are increasingly choosing experiences over possessions. As Imagicaaworld scales up its footprint, the move is also expected to intensify competition with established players such as Wonderla Holidays, raising the stakes in the country’s evolving amusement park industry.
