Schlitterbahn New Braunfels is zooming into its 2026 season by unveiling multimillion-dollar improvements, including a speedy new ride. Wasserbahn Racers, a three-lane, face-first mat racing slide, will be among the new attractions when the beloved waterpark reopens May 2.

Built into the park’s hillside near the Comal River, Wasserbahn Racers gives sliders views of the park’s Hill Country terrain, if they can absorb it in a flash. Riders sprint down 278 feet of dips and chutes, starting 37.6 feet above the finish line and hitting top speeds of more than 24 miles per hour before the splash.

The ride is set apart from other Texas slides by using a real-time stopwatch clock that lets racers see their results the moment they cross the line. WhiteWater, a leader in water attraction design, crafted the course with a competitive spirit in mind.

“Wasserbahn Racers will be a highlight of a big year for Schlitterbahn New Braunfels,” said Justin Loehr, park manager at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, in a release. “Generations of families have built memories here, and the park is excited to introduce an all-new attraction while continuing to enhance classic favorites across the property. We cannot wait to see guests race for bragging rights this summer.”

The 2026 season brings more than just a new slide. Guests can expect enhancements across the park, including updates to Blastenhoff Tower, Han’s Hideout, the Submarine and Octopus slides, the Pirate Ship at Surfenburg, and improvements to Schlitterbahn’s resort areas.

Schlitterbahn has been on a growth spurt since Cedar Fair Entertainment Co., which acquired the park in 2019, joined with Six Flags Entertainment Corporation in an $8 million merger. In 2024, it debuted Schatze’s Storybrook Park, a kids' play area that was its first new attraction in over a decade.