Electronic Arts (EA), the titan behind many of gaming’s biggest franchises, has officially announced its acquisition by a formidable investment consortium. This landmark deal, valued at approximately $55 billion, sees an investor group including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners taking the reins. It’s a historic moment, marking the largest all-cash sponsor take-private investment ever in the industry.
Under the terms of this monumental agreement, the investor group will acquire 100% of EA. Notably, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will transition its existing 9.9% stake into the new private entity. Shareholders are set to receive $210 per share in cash, a generous 25% premium over EA’s share price as of September 25, 2025, and even higher than its previous all-time peak in August 2025. Once the deal is finalized, EA’s shares will cease to be publicly traded, ushering in a new era for the company.
Andrew Wilson, who will continue as EA’s Chairman and CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the future. He commended EA’s dedicated teams for crafting exceptional experiences, building iconic intellectual properties, and generating substantial business value. Wilson emphasized the company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, promising to unlock new opportunities and create “transformative experiences to inspire generations to come.” He concluded by stating he is “more energized than ever about the future we are building.”
EA will maintain its leadership under Andrew Wilson and its headquarters in Redwood City, California. The deal is anticipated to finalize in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, pending crucial regulatory and stockholder approvals.
The financing for this takeover is a mix of cash contributions from PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. Affinity Partners, an American investment firm established in 2021 by Jared Kushner, plays a significant role. The total package includes around $36 billion in equity investment and $20 billion in debt financing, fully backed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., with $18 billion of this expected to be funded at close. All three investment partners confirmed they would fund their equity portions entirely from their respective managed capital.
This massive acquisition arrives at a pivotal time for EA, just days before the highly anticipated launch of a new Battlefield title. It also follows the recent releases of the latest FC game and Skate. Looking ahead, EA’s development pipeline remains robust, featuring titles like a new Mass Effect installment from BioWare, Star Wars Jedi 3 from Respawn, and an Iron Man game under development at Motive.
This report was provided by IGN’s news team.