Sky Zone
| File:Sky Zone logo.png | |
| Company type | Private company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Template:Ublist |
| Headquarters | Provo, Utah, U.S. |
Number of locations | 300 |
Key people | Shawn Hassel (CEO) |
| Products | Indoor Active Entertainment Parks |
| Brands | Template:Flat list |
| Owner | Palladium Equity Partners |
| Website | www |
Sky Zone is a company headquartered in Provo, Utah that operates indoor trampoline park facilities and is recognized for launching the first indoor trampoline park in 2004.
History
Sky Zone was established in 2004 by entrepreneur Rick Platt in the Las Vegas Valley with the original vision of creating a new sport featuring professional athletes. Platt invested US$2 million to develop a trampoline arena equipped with rotating hoops and aerial acrobatics. When the sport did not gain widespread popularity, Platt shifted focus to offering recreational access by charging admission fees, which swiftly drew 10,000 visitors within six months.
In 2006, Jeff Platt, Rick’s son, opened a similar trampoline park in Missouri while attending Washington University in St. Louis. In 2011, Sky Zone introduced Ultimate Dodgeball, an intense dodgeball competition held inside its parks that aired on ESPN until 2018. The company also played a key role as a founding member of the International Association of Trampoline Parks established in 2012.
The brand expanded internationally by signing a master franchise agreement with Strike Bowling Bar in 2013 to develop trampoline parks across Australia and New Zealand. The Australian branch began launching venues in 2014. By 2016, Franchise Times ranked Sky Zone as the second fastest-growing franchise. That same year, Funlab—the owner of Sky Zone Australia—listed its operations for sale.
In 2017, Sky Zone announced plans to build the world’s largest trampoline park in Hyderabad, India, marking its entry into the Indian market. Additionally, that year it debuted a U.S. location featuring its inaugural American Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course.
By 2018, Sky Zone operated more than 200 locations worldwide. In February of that year, CircusTrix, a private equity-backed operator, acquired the company. Later in 2018, Sky Zone was spotlighted on the television series Undercover Boss.
In 2019, Sky Zone reported revenues of $380 million and welcomed approximately 30 million visitors annually. The company also partnered with Carnival Cruise Lines to install a trampoline park aboard the cruise ship Carnival Panorama. As of November 2021, Sky Zone had over 150 trampoline parks globally.
Attractions
Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Parks feature multiple courts outfitted with trampolines on both floors and walls. Many locations provide additional amenities such as climbing walls, ninja warrior courses, slides, zip lines, toddler zones, challenge courses, and stunt bags. Larger courts are designed to accommodate numerous guests simultaneously, while smaller courts host trampoline-based baseball and basketball games. Some courts include foam pits and basketball hoops suspended above trampolines for slam dunk activities. Certain centers have also introduced fitness classes that utilize the trampoline courts for exercise sessions.
Injuries and lawsuits
Sky Zone has been subject to both individual and class-action legal claims stemming from injuries occurring at its facilities. According to research conducted by Children's Hospital Colorado and disseminated by the American Academy of Pediatrics, trampoline-related injuries are 32% more likely to happen at commercial parks than in home settings. To reduce these hazards, patrons are required to view safety instructional videos and sign waivers acknowledging the risks involved; staff training includes segregating jumpers based on size, although adherence to this practice is inconsistent. Additionally, waivers compel injured parties to resolve disputes through arbitration.
In 2017, a three-year-old child sustained injuries during a "toddler time" session, despite medical guidelines advising against trampoline use for children younger than six years old. In September 2020, a massive altercation involving as many as 1,000 individuals occurred at a Sky Zone location in Orland Park, Illinois, prompting a temporary shutdown due to violations of safety regulations; following legal proceedings and the introduction of improved security protocols, the facility resumed operations. Later, in November 2021, nearly 200 teenagers engaged in a large-scale fight at the Tampa, Florida venue, necessitating evacuation though no arrests resulted.
Investigations have revealed recurring patterns of injury at Sky Zone parks, including fractures caused by contact with trampoline frames and falls triggered by collisions with other jumpers. Legal actions assert that hazardous design elements exist and reference internal documents warning employees about risks not disclosed to customers. A notable incident involved former New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain, who suffered significant injuries at a Sky Zone in 2012.
Operations
Based in Provo, Utah, Sky Zone operates through franchises in numerous countries including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, Colombia, Guatemala, Kuwait, India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. As a subsidiary of CircusTrix—a global park operator—the company utilizes this international presence to drive market expansion and support business development initiatives.