Mojang And Merlin Entertainments Reveal $67 Million Investment For World's First Minecraft Theme Park

Mojang and Merlin Entertainments partner to build Minecraft World at Chessington, featuring the first Minecraft rollercoaster and themed attractions by 2027.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 6:28 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from GamesIndustry.biz

A Massive Capital Investment In Immersive Gaming Destinations

Mojang has officially greenlit a 67 million dollar project to bring the block based universe of Minecraft into the physical world. Through a partnership with Merlin Entertainments, the developer plans to establish the world’s first permanent Minecraft themed destination, dubbed Minecraft World. The project, which is valued at approximately 50 million pounds, aims to bridge the gap between digital creativity and tangible entertainment. According to project leads, this development is a cornerstone of the franchise's strategy to expand beyond computer screens and into large scale family attractions.

Locating The Overworld At Chessington World Of Adventures

The inaugural site for this ambitious venture has been confirmed as London's Chessington World of Adventures, with an anticipated opening date in 2027. This location was selected to host a variety of proprietary attractions, including the world’s first Minecraft branded rollercoaster and a massive retail hub designed to be the largest Minecraft shop in existence. Merlin Entertainments, a global leader in theme park operations, described the development as one of its most complex and ambitious undertakings in recent history, requiring a total overhaul of the selected land to match the game's iconic aesthetic.

Authenticity And Collaborative Design Standards

Ensuring that the physical environment mirrors the "unmistakably Minecraft" feel of the game has been a primary focus of the partnership. Senior creative director of entertainment at Minecraft, Torfi Frans Ólafsson, noted that the teams at both Mojang and Merlin have worked closely to ensure the land feels authentic to the community. According to Ólafsson, the project is intended to be a place where players can literally step into the Overworld and interact with the game's famous mobs in a welcoming, family friendly environment.