Rollercoaster fans are being challenged to keep their nerve — and their facial expressions — as Merlin Entertainments launches a new competition to celebrate National Rollercoaster Day 2026.
The Merlin Straight Face Challenge gives thrill-seekers the chance to win a year’s worth of coaster adventures, with the competition running from Sunday 16 August until Sunday 23 August 2026.
Can You Keep a Straight Face?
The challenge is simple: ride one of Merlin’s selected rollercoasters, purchase the official on-ride photograph and see if you can maintain a completely straight face.
Entrants then need to share their ride photo on Instagram or Facebook using #StraightFaceChallenge and tag @MerlinEntertainments.
The competition is being launched on National Rollercoaster Day, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Which Rollercoasters Can You Ride?
Not every Merlin coaster is eligible for the competition. The official terms and conditions list a selection of rides across four Merlin theme parks.
Alton Towers Resort
Eligible rides include:
Thorpe Park
Thrill-seekers can take on:
Chessington World of Adventures
The eligible Chessington coasters are:
LEGOLAND Windsor Resort
The competition also includes:
- Minifigure Speedway
- The Dragon
- Dragon’s Apprentice
Merlin says photographs taken on any other ride or rollercoaster will not qualify for the competition.
What Could You Win?
The prize is a Platinum Merlin Annual Pass for the winner and up to three other people.
The passes are valid for one year from redemption and must be redeemed by 31 December 2026.
The Platinum Merlin Annual Pass is Merlin’s highest tier of annual pass and includes access to its attractions without exclusion dates, alongside additional benefits and perks.
That could mean a whole year of returning to some of the UK’s biggest theme parks and getting back on the likes of Hyperia, Nemesis Reborn, The Smiler and Mandrill Mayhem.
How to Enter
Fancy giving it a go?
You’ll need to:
- Visit one of the four participating Merlin theme parks between 16 and 23 August 2026.
- Ride one of the eligible rollercoasters.
- Purchase the official on-ride photograph.
- Share the photograph on Instagram or Facebook.
- Use #StraightFaceChallenge.
- Tag @MerlinEntertainments.
- Keep your social media account public until the winners have been selected.
Entrants can enter up to two times, although duplicate images from the same person will not count as separate entries.
There are also some important rules. Entrants must be 16 or over and UK residents, while anyone under 18 needs parental or guardian consent. Merlin also states that AI-generated or AI-enhanced images will not be accepted.
When Does the Competition Close?
The competition opens at 11am on Sunday 16 August 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 23 August 2026.
The winner is due to be contacted by email by 6pm on Friday 28 August 2026.
The Ultimate Coaster Challenge?
For theme park enthusiasts, the competition adds an extra challenge to a trip to one of Merlin’s parks this week.
Keeping a straight face on a rollercoaster is certainly easier said than done — particularly when you’re being thrown through inversions, drops and high-speed elements.
With some of the UK’s biggest coasters included, Merlin is giving guests a good reason to get their cameras ready and put their coaster faces to the test.
So, could you keep a completely straight face on Hyperia, The Smiler or Nemesis Reborn?
The competition is now live, with entries open until 23 August 2026.
Competition terms and conditions apply.
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