Electronic Arts Announces Historic $55 Billion Acquisition

Tue Oct 21 2025 00:00:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a landmark deal, Electronic Arts is set to be acquired for $55 billion by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, marking a significant movement in the gaming industry.

Electronic Arts (EA), renowned for major gaming franchises like EA FC and The Sims, is being acquired for $55 billion, chiefly by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The deal marks the largest leveraged buyout in history and will see EA go private, raising industry concerns over future investments and debt management. EA CEO Andrew Wilson sees this as a validation of the company's successes, while the acquisition indicates Saudi Arabia's growing influence in the gaming sector.

Electronic Arts (EA), one of the biggest gaming companies in the world, has agreed a deal to sell the company for $55bn (£41bn).

The consortium of buyers include Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners.

EA is known for making and publishing best-selling games such as EA FC, formerly known as Fifa, The Sims, and Mass Effect.

It is understood to be the largest leveraged buyout in history - where a significant amount of the purchase is financed by borrowing money.

The deal will take EA private - meaning all of its public shares will be purchased and it will no longer be traded on a stock exchange.

The purchase price puts a significant 25% premium on the market value of EA, valuing it at $210 per share.

It is the second most valuable gaming purchase in history, following Microsoft's $69bn deal to buy Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard, which faced significant battles with global regulators.

EA boss Andrew Wilson, who will remain in post, described it as a powerful recognition of the firm's work, aiming to create transformative experiences.

However, concerns arise about the $20bn of debt potentially tied to the acquisition. Industry experts fear this could impact future investments in new games and lead to cuts at EA.

The acquisition highlights Saudi Arabia's increasing presence in the gaming sector, following previous investments in companies like Niantic and involvement in significant events such as the eSports World Cup.

Saudi Arabia's PIF, controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is bolstering its gaming footprint as part of its broader economic diversification strategy.