Electronic Arts (EA), the gaming giant behind titles like FIFA, The Sims, and Battlefield, is set to go private in a blockbuster $55 billion deal – the largest leveraged buyout in history. At the heart of the deal is Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which emerges as one of the most influential players shaping the future of global gaming.
The agreement will see EA shareholders receive $210 per share in cash, representing a 25% premium over the company’s market value before reports of the takeover surfaced. The transaction is structured with about $36 billion in equity financing from the buying group and another $20 billion in debt arranged by JPMorgan Chase. Once the deal closes, expected in fiscal year 2027, EA will be delisted from public markets but will remain under the leadership of its current CEO, Andrew Wilson, and continue operating from its headquarters in California.
The consortium leading the acquisition includes private equity firm Silver Lake Partners, Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, and Saudi Arabia’s PIF. The Saudi sovereign wealth fund already held nearly 10% of EA’s shares before the deal and has now rolled over that stake to take a significant role in the ownership structure. This marks one of PIF’s most ambitious moves yet in the entertainment sector, solidifying its status as a global power player in gaming.
Saudi Arabia’s involvement is part of a broader strategy under its Vision 2030 initiative, aimed at diversifying the kingdom’s economy beyond oil and positioning it as a hub for digital entertainment. PIF has already invested heavily in the sector, acquiring stakes in companies such as Scopely, ESL FACEIT Group, and other esports and gaming firms. The acquisition of EA, however, is by far its boldest move—one that could reshape the competitive landscape of the video game industry.
For EA, going private could mean greater flexibility to innovate without the constant pressure of quarterly earnings reports. But with a sovereign wealth fund now deeply embedded in its future, questions are already surfacing about how strategic decisions, content development, and creative freedom might evolve under this new ownership structure.
The $55 billion takeover highlights not only the growing consolidation in the gaming sector but also Saudi Arabia’s determination to become a dominant force in global entertainment. With the world watching, PIF’s bet on EA may mark the beginning of a new era for both the company and the industry at large.