Last updated on March 25, 2026
The Overworld is going physical. Merlin Entertainments and Mojang Studios have officially announced Minecraft World, described as the world’s first fully immersive Minecraft theme park land, set to open in 2027 at Chessington World of Adventures in Greater London. For anyone who has spent years building shelters before nightfall, this is the real deal.
A £50 Million Bet on Blocks
The project marks the first permanent theme park land dedicated entirely to the Minecraft universe, signaling a notable shift in how interactive entertainment properties extend beyond screens into fully realized, real-world experiences.
Together, Merlin Entertainments and Mojang Studios are building a construction project valued at approximately $70 million (around £50 million), designed to bring the best-selling video game of all time to life. That figure puts it firmly among the most ambitious theme park investments in recent UK history.
The World’s First Minecraft Rollercoaster
Original illustration inspired by Minecraft World at Chessington World of Adventures, opening 2027.
The headline attraction is one that fans have arguably been waiting decades for. Minecraft World will feature the world’s first Minecraft rollercoaster, the world’s biggest Minecraft shop, Minecraft-themed food, interactive adventures, and more.
Concept art reveals ride cars rolling past iconic TNT blocks, while the outdoor areas will be fully populated with familiar mobs including pigs, zombies, and Creepers waiting near the ride queues. Whether or not you survive the queue is another matter entirely.
Authentic by Design: Creators Are Involved
Mojang isn’t leaving authenticity to chance. Merlin brought in heavyweight content creators including Grian, Aimsey, DanTDM, and LDShadowLady to tour the construction site and consult on the park’s development, a move seen as a major trust signal for the gaming community.
The creative direction at the top level is equally deliberate. Torfi Frans Ólafsson, Minecraft’s Senior Creative Director of Entertainment, stated that the team’s goal is to craft an experience that feels immersive, authentic, and welcoming, allowing visitors to literally be in the Minecraft Overworld and have an adventure of their own with family and friends.
What to Expect Inside Minecraft World
Beyond the rollercoaster, the land will feature interactive adventures, epic block-built playscapes, and themed retail and dining experiences.
Interactive quests will allow guests to solve puzzles, craft items, and explore Minecraft-inspired environments in real life, engaging visitors in teamwork, creativity, and exploration — the core pillars of the original game. It is sandbox gameplay, but without the risk of accidentally digging into lava.
Why Chessington Makes Perfect Sense
Location matters, and Merlin knows it. Chessington World of Adventures is a 35-minute direct train ride from London Waterloo and is Britain’s biggest wildlife theme park, featuring rides, a zoo, an aquarium, and two hotels.
The park already draws over 1.5 million visitors annually, and its strategic location and existing infrastructure make it a convenient destination for families, gamers, and theme park enthusiasts from across the UK and internationally. Adding Minecraft World to that mix is a clear play for a younger, globally connected audience.
Part of a Bigger Minecraft Expansion
The theme park announcement did not arrive in isolation. Alongside the park, short-term activations include a May pop-up event and the Tiny Takeover update, which arrived on March 24, with the Minecraft movie sequel also scheduled for July 23, 2027. Mojang is clearly building toward a cultural moment, not just a single attraction.
This collaboration reflects a broader trend in entertainment, where the boundaries between digital and physical experiences continue to blur, and gaming franchises expand into film, television, and now large-scale attractions.
When Can You Visit?
Minecraft World is confirmed to open in 2027 at Chessington World of Adventures , though specific dates and ticket pricing have not yet been announced. Given the scale of the investment and the fanbase involved, booking early is likely to be advisable.
For updates, you can follow the official Chessington dedicated page at chessington.com/minecraft and the Merlin Entertainments newsroom at merlinentertainments.biz as construction progresses toward the 2027 opening.
I’m passionate about books and video games. These two great passions represent, for me, a boundless universe where I can “escape” from reality whenever I need or want to. There are so many stories, worlds, and landscapes where I can instantly teleport that I don’t think a whole lifetime would be enough to explore them all (though it would be my greatest dream to be able to).
