By Michaela Gordoni
True to his big-idea style, Nate Bargatze’s next leap is into the world of amusement parks.
The comedian and his company, Nateland, partnered with Storyland Studios to review potential sites for the 100-acre park near Nashville, Variety reported.
The park will include Alongside rides, retail shops, dining and a possible hotel. The feasibility study is expected to be completed in the beginning of 2026. Then, Bargatze will look for investments for the park.
“Nate and Nateland are committed to good, clean, family-friendly entertainment,” said Felix Verdigets, CEO of Nateland Entertainment, in a statement. “We live in middle Tennessee and recognize the need for a major attraction for people of all ages in the Nashville area. We’re excited to see what our partnership with Storyland Studios will bring.”
Storyland designed the Legoland Hotel and parts of theme parks like Knott’s Berry Farm and California’s Great Adventure.
Related: Nate Bargatze Can’t Shake This Stand-Up Habit While Filming THE BREADWINNER
“This project has been a long time coming, and we’re thrilled to officially announce that we have embarked on this journey with Nate, Felix, and the entire Nateland team,” said Mel McGowan, founder and chief creative officer of Storyland Studios. “Our goal is to create a truly premium themed entertainment experience right in Music City that reflects the unique humor and heart of Nateland, while also delivering a world-class destination for families.”
Bargatze has previously opened up about his dream for a theme park.
“I bet we’re closer than people think. But it’s still a little bit of a ways off,” he revealed in May.
“We’ve been in early discussions with some wealthy families and some governors of a couple of other states to do a Nateland-themed something, almost like a mini park,” Verdigets said earlier this year.
Theme parks are close to Bargatze’s heart. When he was a teen, he worked at Opryland until it closed in 1997.
Bargatze said, “My goal is to shoot movies here and then also work on a theme park. And we can have our own Universal Studios. I mean, it’s gonna be called Nateland.”
“They took Opryland from me, so I’m going to bring it back. We’re going to have the Screaming Delta Demon. We’re gonna bring it back,” he said.
Bargatze grossed over $80 million last year. He hasn’t gone through the traditional route for his ventures.
“There’s this part of me that’s like, ‘Guys, how did you let me get this far?’” Bargatze said earlier this year. “It’s like, ‘Your system was all I wanted. Why would you not just let me be a part of it? Why did you not see me?’ And there’s still someone in Hollywood going, ‘Wait, who is he? Oh yeah, that comedian.’ You’re like, are you crazy?”
Bargatze’s first movie, THE BREADWINNER will release in March, and he’s embarking on a comedy cruise, Nateland at Sea, in February.
Read Next: Nate Bargatze Keeps Families First as His Entertainment Empire Grows
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