The Big One opened in 1994 as the tallest and steepest rollercoaster in the world. It remains the tallest in Britain but has long since lost its world-beating status. The tallest rollercoaster in the world is now the Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey.

No, "The Big One" at Blackpool Pleasure Beach in the UK is no longer the tallest roller coaster in the world, nor has it been for many years. When it opened in 1994, it held the world record at 235 feet (72 meters), but it was quickly surpassed. In 2026, the title of the world's tallest roller coaster is held by Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, which stands at a staggering 456 feet (139 meters). However, "The Big One" remains the tallest roller coaster in the United Kingdom and a significant historical landmark in the coaster community. Interestingly, 2026 sees the debut of Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas, which sets a new world record for the tallest giga dive coaster at 309 feet, but Kingda Ka still maintains the absolute height record. "The Big One" continues to be a favorite for its scenic views over the Irish Sea and its unique profiling, even if its "tallest in the world" days are three decades in the past.