Saudi-Led Consortium to Acquire Electronic Arts in $55 Billion Record Deal

Video game giant Electronic Arts (EA) has announced it will be acquired by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in a landmark $55 billion all-cash deal, which EA says will be the largest private equity buyout in history.

The deal, revealed on Monday, brings together PIF — the kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund and U.S.-based investment firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, the Miami firm founded by Jared Kushner, former White House advisor. EA’s chairman and CEO, Andrew Wilson, hailed the agreement as a “powerful recognition” of the company’s creative and commercial achievements, adding that the acquisition will “unlock new opportunities on a global stage.”

EA is best known for its globally popular franchises, including FIFA (now EA Sports FC), Madden NFL, The Sims, and Battlefield. The company reported revenue of $7.5 billion in its most recent fiscal year, cementing its position as one of the biggest players in the gaming industry. Upon completion of the deal, EA will be delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange but remain headquartered in Redwood City, California. Wilson will continue to lead the company under the new ownership.

A Landmark Deal in Gaming and Finance

The consortium will finance the transaction with approximately $36 billion in equity and $20 billion in debt, backed by JPMorgan Chase. PIF already holds a 9.9 percent stake in EA and will roll over its existing investment into the buyout.

Industry analysts have described the acquisition as a turning point for the global gaming market, with one of the sector’s most recognizable companies moving into private ownership. The transaction reflects a growing trend of large-scale consolidation in the gaming industry, following Microsoft’s $69 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard in 2023 and Sony’s continued investment in first-party studios.

For Saudi Arabia, the acquisition aligns with its Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify the kingdom’s economy away from oil revenues and turn it into a hub for technology, sports, and entertainment. The Public Investment Fund has already made substantial investments in gaming and esports, including stakes in Japanese game makers Capcom and Nexon, as well as its ownership of Savvy Games Group.

“This is not just about buying a gaming company,” one industry observer noted. “It’s about securing a long-term position in the digital entertainment economy, where gaming is now bigger than film and music combined.”

Saudi Arabia’s Growing Footprint in Gaming

The EA buyout adds to Saudi Arabia’s growing list of high-profile investments in the gaming sector. The country has been on an acquisition spree over the last three years, positioning itself as a key global player in esports, publishing, and game development.

Analysts say the deal could bring additional funding for new titles, bigger esports tournaments, and possible expansion into emerging markets. However, some industry watchers have expressed concerns about regulatory approval in the U.S. and Europe, given the size and nature of the transaction.

If approved, the acquisition will mark a major shift for EA, which has operated as a publicly traded company since 1989. The move to private ownership is expected to give the company more freedom to take creative risks, restructure its business, and explore new revenue models, including live services and subscriptions.

The acquisition is projected to close in early 2026, pending shareholder and regulatory approval. Until then, EA has confirmed that its operations, release schedules, and partnerships will continue as planned.

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