If you’ve already heard that Six Flags Over Texas is building a record-breaking new coaster, here’s the update that makes it feel real: the park has officially completed the tallest vertical roller coaster loop ever constructed.

This week, Six Flags Over Texas announced that the massive steel loop for Tormenta Rampaging Run is now in place—an 18-story structure that rises 179 feet into the air and marks a major construction milestone ahead of the ride’s 2026 debut. To mark the moment, the park staged a nighttime countdown, lighting the finished loop in vivid red and briefly turning the North Texas skyline into a glowing teaser for what’s coming.

“Tonight, Texas raised the bar for thrill rides around the world,” said Park Manager Mark Boyer. “The completion of the world’s tallest vertical loop is a once-in-a-generation engineering achievement and a bold sign of what’s ahead when Tormenta Rampaging Run opens later this year.”

Related: Six Flags’ New First-of-its-Kind Coaster is Already Making History

Tormenta has been on coaster fans’ radar for months, and construction has already cleared major benchmarks. But this week’s update is a standout: The loop alone now holds the world record for tallest of its kind, pushing Tormenta closer to fully realizing multiple global firsts when it opens, including status as the world’s first and only giga dive coaster.

According to Six Flags, the loop’s completion means the ride is now more than halfway through vertical construction. Drone footage and ground-level video released by the park show just how dominant the structure already is, even before the rest of the track is installed.

Related: Six Flags Just Opened a New World-First Coaster—And It’s Flying Under the Radar

“This milestone marks the moment Tormenta became a true skyline icon,” Boyer said. “We cannot wait for guests to experience the full power of this one-of-a-kind thrill machine.”

When finished, Tormenta Rampaging Run is expected to stand 309 feet tall, reach speeds of 87 miles per hour, and break six world records overall—putting it among the most extreme roller coasters ever constructed.

Along the way, riders will pass through the tallest vertical coaster loop ever constructed at 179 feet and climb into the highest Immelmann inversion on record at 218 feet—while stretching more than 4,100 feet to become the longest of its kind. It’s a combination of elements that places Tormenta in rare, record-setting territory even before its first riders board.

For now, though, this isn’t just concept art anymore. One of the most ambitious roller coasters ever built in the U.S. just locked in its most eye-catching feature—and it’s already towering over Texas.

Related: The Roller Coasters Amusement Park Superfans Are Most Excited to Ride in 2026

This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.