“Nate Bargatze Forges Partnership with Storyland Studios to Further Develop Nashville Theme Park”

Nashville, TN -- Today, at the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions’ preeminent industry conference, the IAAPA Expo, Stand-Up Comedian and Entertainer, Nate Bargatze announced that his company Nateland is partnering with Storyland Studios, a themed entertainment architecture and design firm based in Southern California, to explore the concept and feasibility of a Nashville-based theme park. In announcing his project, Bargatze has further demonstrated to the world just how serious he is about his desire to bring family fun to his hometown of Nashville, TN.

“Nate and Nateland are committed to good, clean, family-friendly entertainment.  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” said Felix Verdigets, CEO of Nateland Entertainment.

Working closely with state and local officials, the Nateland Experiences division of Nateland and the Storyland design team are reviewing possible sites in the greater Nashville area for the planned 100+ acre park. In addition to the entertainment offerings in the good, clean family fun park, key amenities such as retail, dining, and even a hotel are being considered.

“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 & 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.”

While it usually takes many years for a new park to be built, the feasibility study itself is slated to be completed in Q1 of 2026. Armed with this study and a compelling concept, the Nateland Experiences team will be turning its attention immediately toward investors with a goal to continue development shortly thereafter. Given the current interest in Mr. Bargatze’s entertainment endeavors, the expectations are high for energetic investment participation.

About Nateland Entertainment

Nateland is an evolving entertainment platform consisting of Touring, Digital, TV/Film and Experiences.  Our company is a home for comedy, stories, and the people who tell them. It’s a collective of stand-up specials, touring comics, original TV and gameshows, box office movies, and a growing presence on YouTube and beyond. From live experiences to digital content, Nateland brings together a community built on curiosity, humor, and connection.

About Storyland Studios

Storyland Studios is a global destination and experience design firm dedicated to creating places that inspire, educate, and entertain. By putting story at the center of every project—from theme parks and cultural landmarks to educational institutions and conservation centers—the company transforms visions into compelling realities. Their multidisciplinary team specializes in architecture, experiential design, interactive media, and strategy, ensuring every project delivers a powerful and unforgettable narrative journey.

About Nate Bargatze

Hailed as “The Nicest Man in Stand-Up,” by The Atlantic Magazine, and “One of the Funniest People,” by CBS Mornings, Grammy & Emmy-nominated comedian, NY Times #1 bestselling author, podcaster, director and producer Nate Bargatze is selling out shows and breaking venue attendance records with more than 1.2 million tickets sold in 2024. He is currently the #1 earning comedian in the world according to Pollstar’s recent report, and #12 in overall live tour tickets sales, putting him in the company of Coldplay, Madonna and U2. Billboard recently announced that Bargatze set a new record for the biggest one-year gross by a comedy performer in history. He is currently on his 2025 Big Dumb Eyes World Tour and continuing to break arena attendance and ticket records weekly. Most recently, Nate hosted the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on CBS, which was the highest rated Emmy’s show in the last 4 years.

Up next, Bargatze will host his new comedy game show, The Greatest Average American, premiering February 25th on ABC and Hulu. Co-created and executive produced by Bargatze and John Quinn (Price is Right), TGAA celebrates the power of being perfectly average. Each round features challenges and trivia as contestants try to guess how everyday Americans think and live. In the end, one player will be crowned the Greatest Average American and get the chance to win the ultimate grand prize: the average American salary of $67,920 (and extra to cover taxes).

Bargatze recently published his highly anticipated first book, Big Dumb Eyes: Stories From A Simpler Mind, from Grand Central Publishing which instantly became the New York Times #1 best-selling book. It remained on the New York Times Best-Sellers list for 11 weeks.

Bargatze hosted Saturday Night Live for the second time last fall, to rave reviews, with Vulture.com asking the question, “Has Nate Bargatze Cracked The SNL code?” Last December, Nate co-produced a holiday variety special, Nate Bargatze’s Nashville Christmas, with Lorne Michaels for CBS.

On the silver screen, Bargatze will soon star in the family-friendly comedy, The Breadwinner, for TriStar Pictures which he co-wrote with Dan Lagana. He will also serve as an executive producer. The film will co-star Mandy Moore, Colin Jost, Will Forte, and Kumail Nanjiani and will be directed by Emmy winner Eric Appel. For more information and tickets go to: natebargatze.com.

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