Universal’s ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ Coaster Official Opening Date and Trailer Revealed

Theme park enthusiasts have been eagerly awaiting updates for over a year, ever since Universal Studios Hollywood first hinted at a coaster inspired by one of Hollywood’s most iconic action franchises. The long period of speculation, soft openings, and postponed timelines is finally coming to a close.

The ride in question, ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’, has been through months of technical rehearsals and passholder previews since testing began, with rumors occasionally surfacing about delays due to noise complaints from nearby neighborhoods. Universal has consistently refuted these rumors, maintaining that the coaster would still debut sometime in summer 2026, even as a specific date remained uncertain.

That uncertainty has now been resolved. Universal Studios Hollywood has officially announced that ‘Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift’ will have its grand opening on Wednesday, September 16. This announcement comes alongside the release of a first-look trailer that showcases the ride’s sleek, chrome-heavy visuals against the park’s iconic backdrop.

Situated on the Upper Lot within a red brick garage-themed structure, the coaster is touted as the fastest in Universal’s lineup, reaching speeds of up to 72 miles per hour across 4,100 feet of aerial track—approximately the length of twelve football fields. A standout feature is its 360-degree rotation system integrated into each vehicle, designed to replicate the sensation of drifting cars as riders spin independently throughout the course.

What has generated buzz among franchise fans is the coaster’s vehicle lineup, which features some of the series’ most famous cars. The four ride vehicles are modeled after Dominic Toretto’s 1970 Dodge Charger, Han Seoul-Oh’s 1997 Mazda RX-7, Brian O’Conner’s 2002 Nissan Skyline GT-R, and his 1994 Toyota Supra, with each car providing a unique ride experience based on the vehicle guests choose.

The attraction also introduces notable technological innovations for the park, including a fully independent audio system that immerses riders in engine and sound effects specific to their chosen car. Additionally, a transparent section of track runs through the queue, building anticipation before guests even board. Each train accommodates sixteen people, with a minimum height requirement of 51 inches to ride.

The coaster’s launch is part of a larger promotional campaign tied to the franchise, featuring a Vin Diesel-narrated television commercial that aired during Super Bowl LX, the 2026 Winter Olympics, and the 2026 NBA All-Star Game earlier this year. Universal is also planning to introduce a version of the ride at Universal Studios Florida in 2027, replacing the previous ‘Fast & Furious: Supercharged’ attraction, which closed in mid-August.

With technical rehearsals and passholder previews now transitioning to an official launch date, dedicated fans of both the franchise and the park’s thrill-ride offerings finally have a solid reason to mark their calendars.

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