What to know
- The 2026 CNE features several high-intensity rides, including the Mega Drop, Mach 3, Ring of Fire, Swing Tower and Cliff Hanger.
- The Mega Drop slowly carries riders 110 feet into the air before plunging back down in just three seconds.
- Mach 3 reaches 13 revolutions per minute and generates forces of up to 3.5 Gs while its seats independently rotate 360 degrees.
- The rides cost between 10 and 15 ride tickets, with minimum height requirements ranging from 46 to 56 inches.
For thrill-seekers, taking a trip to the Canadian National Exhibition isn’t complete without a few spins on dizzying rides that’s designed to get your heart racing.
From the Mega Drop to X-Drive, Toronto’s favourite end-of-summer activity has plenty of rides that will elicit excited screams, stomach-dropping thrills, and make for an adrenaline-filled good time.
Here are 5 rides at the CNE that will have you holding on tight:
Swing Tower
Located along the Midway, the Swing Tower has been a staple at the CNE since at least 2009. The ride lifts riders 30 metres (or 100 feet) above the ground before swinging in a wide circle, giving riders who dare open their eyes a spectacular view of Toronto’s skyline and Lake Ontario. The Swing Tower costs 13 ride tickets and has a minimum height requirement of 48 inches.
Mega Drop
One of the CNE’s most iconic rides, the Mega Drop is perfect for thrill-seekers who love anticipation. Sitting at nearly 14 storeys tall, the elevator-style attraction lifts riders up 110 feet (33.5 metres) over a long 52 seconds, before dropping to the ground in just three seconds. The Mega Drop costs 10 ride tickets and has a minimum height requirement of 55 inches.
Ring of Fire
The Ring of Fire is a circular roller coaster that propels riders forward and back in a pumping motion through a giant vertical ring, sending riders looping right-side up and upside down. The 60 feet (18.2 metres) steel ring momentarily suspends riders upside down, before dropping them back down to the start. The Ring of Fire costs 13 ride tickets and has a minimum height requirement of 48 inches.
Mach 3
Mach 3 is a CNE ride that is not for the faint of heart. With a 37 metre (127 feet) vertical rotating arm, the Mach 3 spins riders up to 13 revolutions per minute and generates up to 3.5 Gs of force, which is equal to three-and-a-half times the force of Earth’s gravity. As the ride spins, the seats also independently spin 360 degrees. The Mach 3 costs 15 ride tickets and has the tallest minimum height requirement yet, at 56 inches.
Cliff Hanger
The final adrenaline-filled ride on this list is the Cliff Hanger — a spinning ride that forces riders to lay on their stomachs. The ride simulates hang gliding by dropping, lifting, and spinning outwards at a 45 to 60 degree angle. The Cliff Hanger only costs 10 ride tickets and has a minimum height requirement of 46 inches.
