San Francisco – Video game behemoth Electronic Arts (EA) announced Monday that it has agreed to be acquired by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) for $55 billion. EA noted that the transaction would be the largest all-cash private equity buyout in history.
The acquiring consortium also includes US investment firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, the Miami-based firm founded by Jared Kushner, the former White House advisor and son-in-law of President Donald Trump.
“This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work,” EA Chairman and CEO Andrew Wilson said of the company’s employees in a statement, adding that the deal would help “unlock new opportunities on a global stage.”
EA, known for globally popular franchises including the FIFA soccer games, Madden NFL, The Sims, and Battlefield, reported revenue of $7.5 billion in its most recent fiscal year.
Financing and Strategic Context
Saudi Arabia’s PIF, which already holds a stake in EA, will roll over its existing investment as part of the transaction. The $55 billion deal will be financed through approximately $36 billion in equity from the consortium members and $20 billion in committed debt provided by JPMorgan Chase.
The acquisition is expected to close in early 2026 and is contingent upon approval from EA shareholders and regulatory authorities. Upon completion, EA will be delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange but will remain headquartered in Redwood City, California, under Wilson’s continued leadership.
This deal marks the PIF’s latest major investment in the gaming sector, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s aggressive strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil revenues and establish itself as a major player in the global technology and entertainment industries.
