Sky Zone
An American indoor trampoline-park and family-entertainment brand.
Last updated October 14, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Sky Zone is an American indoor trampoline-park operator and family-entertainment brand. It was founded in 2004 in the Las Vegas Valley by Rick Platt, who initially intended to use a large trampoline court as the venue for a new athletic spectacle involving professional performers, rotating hoops, and aerial acrobatics. The proposed sport did not attract the expected interest, but local skateboarders and other visitors began asking to use the trampoline court. Platt converted that unexpected demand into a paid recreational business, and the original facility reportedly attracted about 10,000 visitors within its first six months. The business developed through a combination of company-operated facilities and franchising. Rick Platt's son, Jeff Platt, opened a comparable park in Missouri in 2006 while attending Washington University in St. Louis. Sky Zone subsequently built its identity around active indoor recreation rather than conventional arcade or soft-play entertainment. Its facilities generally contain interconnected trampoline courts, wall trampolines, foam pits, and areas for organized games such as dodgeball and basketball. Depending on the location, the parks may also include climbing attractions, slides, zip lines, obstacle courses, toddler areas, challenge activities, stunt bags, and exercise sessions using trampoline courts. A major part of the brand's early differentiation was its effort to turn trampoline recreation into organized sport. In 2011, Sky Zone introduced Ultimate Dodgeball, an extreme dodgeball competition played on trampoline courts. The competition continued through 2018 and received championship exposure on ESPN. Sky Zone was also a founding member of the International Association of Trampoline Parks in 2012, reflecting the emergence of indoor trampoline parks as a distinct recreational category. The company expanded internationally through master-franchise arrangements. In 2013, it announced an agreement with Strike Bowling Bar to develop parks in Australia and pursue additional opportunities in New Zealand. The Australian subsidiary began opening locations in 2014. The Australian operation was associated with Funlab, which later considered selling the business. Sky Zone also announced plans for a large park in Hyderabad, India, in 2017 and opened the Hyderabad location that year. In the United States, the brand continued adding attractions, including an American Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course at a Pennsylvania location opened in 2017. By 2018, Sky Zone had more than 200 locations. CircusTrix, a competing indoor-park operator backed by Palladium Equity Partners, announced its acquisition of Sky Zone in February of that year. The transaction placed Sky Zone within a larger trampoline- and active-entertainment platform. The brand was later featured on the television program Undercover Boss in 2018. A 2019 company-reported figure cited approximately 30 million annual visitors and $380 million in revenue, although the available reference does not establish whether the revenue figure represented the whole corporate group or a particular reporting scope. Sky Zone has also pursued nontraditional venues. In 2019, it announced a partnership with Carnival Cruise Line to install a Sky Zone trampoline park aboard Carnival Panorama. By November 2021, references described the network as having more than 150 parks worldwide, a figure that may reflect changes in ownership, franchise composition, or reporting methodology compared with earlier location counts. The brand remains associated with indoor active entertainment, franchise-based park development, birthday parties, group activities, and family recreation. Its operating model also carries safety and liability challenges because trampoline parks involve falls, collisions, and contact with equipment. Sky Zone has used safety videos, signed waivers, employee training, and activity separation policies as part of its risk-management approach, while individual parks have faced injury claims, lawsuits, regulatory disputes, and security incidents.
History
Sky Zone began in 2004 in the Las Vegas Valley, where Rick Platt invested in a large indoor trampoline arena. His original concept was not principally a family-entertainment park: he hoped to create a new sport featuring professional athletes, aerial maneuvers, and rotating hoops. When that concept failed to generate sufficient interest, local skateboarders and other customers discovered the venue and wanted to use the trampoline court for recreational jumping. The facility began charging admission and reportedly drew approximately 10,000 visitors in its first six months. The concept expanded within the Platt family. In 2006, Rick Platt's son Jeff opened a similar park in Missouri while studying at Washington University in St. Louis. Sky Zone subsequently developed into a branded network of indoor trampoline parks, using both direct operations and franchise relationships. Its core attractions centered on connected trampoline floors and walls, while many locations added foam pits, basketball goals, dodgeball courts, and other active-play elements. Sky Zone attempted to formalize trampoline recreation as a spectator and participatory sport through Ultimate Dodgeball, launched in 2011. The competition operated through 2018, with championship events receiving exposure on ESPN. In 2012, Sky Zone joined with other operators as a founding member of the International Association of Trampoline Parks, an industry body created as the category expanded. International growth followed. In 2013, Sky Zone announced a master-franchise arrangement with Strike Bowling Bar covering the development of ten Australian parks and possible future expansion into New Zealand. Sky Zone Australia began opening facilities in 2014. The Australian operation was connected with Funlab, which in 2016 was reported to be considering the sale of both its Sky Zone Australia and Strike Bowling businesses. Sky Zone also pursued development in India, announcing a major Hyderabad park in 2017 and opening it in August of that year. In the United States, the company added broader adventure attractions, including its first American Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course at a Pennsylvania park opened in December 2017. The network exceeded 200 locations by 2018 according to contemporary references. In February of that year, CircusTrix announced its acquisition of Sky Zone. The transaction combined two significant indoor active-entertainment businesses and made Sky Zone a subsidiary or operating brand within the CircusTrix platform. Later in 2018, the company received television exposure through Undercover Boss. Sky Zone reported approximately 30 million annual visitors and $380 million in revenue in 2019. Because the available reference does not fully define the reporting perimeter, those figures should not be treated as independently verified consolidated financial statements. That year the company also announced a partnership with Carnival Cruise Line to place a Sky Zone trampoline attraction aboard Carnival Panorama, extending the brand beyond conventional fixed-site parks. By November 2021, published descriptions referred to more than 150 Sky Zone parks worldwide. The lower figure compared with the earlier count of more than 200 may reflect changes in the franchise network, ownership, operating status, or counting methodology. Sky Zone's facilities commonly combine open jumping with organized games, birthday parties, group events, climbing, slides, zip lines, toddler areas, obstacle courses, and fitness programming. Safety and liability have been persistent issues for the category and for Sky Zone locations. The company has required customers to watch safety material and sign waivers, and it has trained employees to separate participants by size and activity. Nevertheless, injury lawsuits and reports have alleged collisions, falls, broken bones, contact with trampoline frames, and weaknesses in the design or padding of certain equipment. Individual parks have also encountered security and crowd-control incidents, including major fights in Orland Park, Illinois, in 2020 and Tampa, Florida, in 2021. These events generated closures, legal proceedings, and additional security measures. Sky Zone therefore occupies a position at the intersection of family entertainment, franchised recreation, and a high-liability active-sports environment.
- 2019
Carnival Panorama partnership announced
[1]Sky Zone announces plans for a trampoline park aboard Carnival Panorama.
- 2018
CircusTrix announces acquisition
[1]CircusTrix announces that it has acquired Sky Zone as the brand reaches more than 200 locations according to contemporary descriptions.
- 2017
Hyderabad park opens
[1]Sky Zone opens its first trampoline park in India in Hyderabad after announcing plans for a large facility earlier that year.
- 2017
First American Ninja Warrior-style course added in the United States
[1]A Pennsylvania location opens with an obstacle course modeled on American Ninja Warrior-style attractions.
- 2014
Sky Zone Australia begins opening parks
[1]The Australian subsidiary starts rolling out locations under the international franchise plan.
- 2013
Australian master-franchise agreement announced
[1]The company announces a development agreement with Strike Bowling Bar for Australian parks and potential New Zealand expansion.
- 2012
Industry association founded
[1]Sky Zone becomes one of the founding members of the International Association of Trampoline Parks.
- 2011
Ultimate Dodgeball begins
[1]Sky Zone introduces a trampoline-based dodgeball competition that runs until 2018.
- 2006
Jeff Platt opens a Missouri park
[1]Rick Platt's son opens a similar Sky Zone facility in Missouri, helping extend the concept beyond its original Nevada location.
- 2004
First Sky Zone facility opens in the Las Vegas Valley
[1]Rick Platt establishes the original indoor trampoline arena, which becomes a paid recreational venue after the proposed professional sport fails to gain traction.
Products and positioning
Active indoor family entertainment combining trampoline-based recreation, organized games, adventure attractions, and group experiences.
Trampoline recreation
Open Jump
Open-jump sessions provide general access to interconnected trampoline courts, allowing visitors to bounce, perform recreational jumps, and move between designated areas. The exact layout varies by park, but courts may include trampolines on both floors and walls. These sessions form the basic recreational offering around which many Sky Zone locations build parties, group bookings, and additional attractions.
Organized trampoline sport · 2011
Ultimate Dodgeball
Ultimate Dodgeball was Sky Zone's organized extreme-dodgeball competition, played on trampoline courts. The format used the park environment to create a more acrobatic version of dodgeball and was intended to turn a recreational attraction into a structured sport. The competition operated from 2011 through 2018 and its championship events were featured on ESPN.
Trampoline sport activity
Trampoline Basketball
Trampoline basketball uses courts with elevated basketball goals, allowing visitors to bounce before attempting shots and dunks. It is typically offered as a dedicated activity within larger parks and complements open jumping and other court-based games. Availability depends on the individual location and its attraction mix.
Adventure attraction
Foam Pits
Foam pits are landing areas filled with foam blocks or similar cushioning materials. Visitors can jump from trampoline courts into the pit as an additional challenge and landing experience. They are among the common non-game attractions found in Sky Zone facilities, although equipment and operating rules vary by park.
Indoor adventure entertainment
Obstacle and Adventure Attractions
Selected Sky Zone parks broaden the trampoline format with climbing elements, slides, zip lines, challenge courses, stunt bags, toddler zones, and ninja-style obstacle courses. These additions allow locations to serve visitors seeking activities beyond trampoline courts and support a broader family-entertainment positioning.
Controversies
2021
Tampa park brawl
Nearly 200 teenagers were reportedly involved in a fight at a Sky Zone trampoline park in Tampa, Florida. The park was evacuated and closed, while the confrontation continued in the parking lot.
2020
Large fight at Orland Park facility
An estimated 700 to 1,000 people, mostly children, were reportedly trapped inside a Sky Zone park in Orland Park, Illinois, during a large fight. The park was shut down over safety violations and later pursued court relief to preserve its operating license.
2017
Injury during toddler jump activity
A three-year-old child reportedly suffered a broken bone during a toddler-time activity at a Florida Sky Zone. The incident drew attention to the suitability and safety of trampoline use by very young children.
Injury lawsuits and equipment-safety allegations
Sky Zone locations have faced individual and class-action lawsuits involving trampoline injuries. Reported allegations include broken bones, collisions, feet becoming caught near metal frames, falls onto other participants, and potentially inadequate padding or warnings. The available reference does not establish the final disposition of the cases.
Marketing campaigns
- 2019Carnival Panorama partnership
United States · Cruise travel markets
Sky Zone partnered with Carnival Cruise Line to bring a trampoline-park attraction to the Carnival Panorama cruise ship.
Outcome. The available reference confirms the announced partnership but does not document operating results.
- 2018Undercover Boss appearance
United States
Sky Zone was featured in an episode of the American television program Undercover Boss, giving the brand mainstream television exposure.
Outcome. The reference confirms the broadcast appearance but does not provide audience, sales, or campaign-performance data.
- 2011Ultimate Dodgeball
United States
Sky Zone created a competitive trampoline-dodgeball platform and promoted championship events as a formalized version of its park-based recreation.
Outcome. The competition continued through 2018 and received ESPN exposure before being discontinued.
Brand decisions
2021
Accept additional security measures at Orland ParkOtherBackground
The Orland Park facility faced closure and litigation after a large fight and alleged safety violations in 2020.
Action taken
The park agreed to implement additional security and safety measures as part of the resolution allowing it to remain open.
Aftermath
The facility was permitted to continue operating under the agreed conditions.
2019
Extend the brand to a cruise shipProduct launchBackground
Sky Zone sought new venues and partnership formats beyond conventional standalone trampoline parks.
Action taken
The company announced a partnership with Carnival Cruise Line to place a Sky Zone trampoline park on Carnival Panorama.
Aftermath
The agreement extended the brand into cruise-based family entertainment, although the available reference does not report performance results.
2018
Join the CircusTrix platformM&ABackground
Sky Zone had grown into a large indoor active-entertainment network, while CircusTrix was building a broader park-operator portfolio.
Action taken
CircusTrix announced the acquisition of Sky Zone.
Aftermath
Sky Zone became a subsidiary or operating brand within CircusTrix's indoor-entertainment business.
2017
Add broader adventure attractionsProduct launchBackground
Sky Zone was expanding beyond basic trampoline courts to increase the variety of activities available at individual parks.
Action taken
A Pennsylvania park opened with the company's first American Ninja Warrior-style obstacle course in the United States.
Aftermath
Obstacle courses became part of the wider attraction mix available at selected Sky Zone locations.
2013
Approve Australian master-franchise expansionStrategyBackground
Sky Zone sought international growth through partnerships rather than relying only on domestic park development.
Action taken
The company announced a master-franchise arrangement with Strike Bowling Bar covering ten Australian parks and potential New Zealand development.
Aftermath
Sky Zone Australia began opening locations in 2014; the associated Australian operation was later reported as being considered for sale by Funlab.
2004
Pivot from professional trampoline sport to paid recreationStrategyBackground
Rick Platt initially intended to create a new sport using professional athletes and specialized trampoline-court features, but the concept did not generate sufficient interest.
Action taken
The facility began charging local visitors who wanted to use the trampoline court recreationally.
Aftermath
The recreational model attracted substantial early visitation and became the foundation of the Sky Zone brand.
Recent events
- 2021
Orland Park Sky Zone allowed to remain open after security commitments[1]
Lawsuit · Regulation
The Orland Park facility was allowed to continue operating after agreeing to additional security and safety measures.
- 2019
Sky Zone announces Carnival Panorama partnership[1]
Campaign · Product launch
Sky Zone announced a partnership with Carnival Cruise Line to place a trampoline park aboard the Carnival Panorama cruise ship.
- 2018
CircusTrix announces acquisition of Sky Zone[1]
M&A
CircusTrix announced that it had acquired Sky Zone, bringing the brand into a larger indoor active-entertainment operating platform.
- 2018
Sky Zone appears on Undercover Boss[1]
Campaign · Other
The brand was featured in an episode of the American television program Undercover Boss.
- 2014
Sky Zone Australia begins opening locations[1]
Product launch
The Australian subsidiary began opening Sky Zone facilities under the international expansion plan.
- 2013
Sky Zone announces Australian master-franchise expansion[1]
M&A
Sky Zone announced a master-franchise arrangement with Strike Bowling Bar to develop parks in Australia and pursue future locations in New Zealand.
- 2012
Sky Zone becomes a founding member of the International Association of Trampoline Parks[1]
Other
The company joined other industry participants in helping establish a trade association for trampoline-park operators.
- 2011
Sky Zone launches Ultimate Dodgeball competition[1]
Campaign · Product launch
Sky Zone organized Ultimate Dodgeball, a trampoline-based dodgeball competition that later received championship exposure on ESPN.
Sources3 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/sky-zone · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled