A consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), together with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has officially completed its $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA), marking one of the largest transactions in the history of the global video game industry and the largest all-cash take-private deal ever completed.
The acquisition was finalized after receiving all required regulatory approvals, including clearance from the European Commission, allowing EA to transition from a publicly traded company to private ownership.
Largest Buyout in Gaming History
Under the agreement, the consortium acquired 100% of EA’s outstanding shares, with shareholders receiving $210 per share in cash, representing a premium of approximately 25% over the company’s unaffected share price before the deal was announced. Following the transaction, PIF holds approximately 93.4% ownership of the company.
The transaction is also recognized as the largest leveraged buyout in history, supported by approximately $20 billion in debt financing alongside equity investments from consortium members.
Leadership Remains Unchanged
Electronic Arts confirmed that CEO Andrew Wilson will continue leading the company, while its headquarters will remain in Redwood City, California.
The new ownership structure is expected to provide EA with greater flexibility to invest in long-term innovation, expand its gaming portfolio, and accelerate strategic growth without the short-term pressures of public markets.
Strengthening Saudi Arabia’s Gaming Strategy
The acquisition further expands Saudi Arabia’s presence in the global gaming and digital entertainment industries and aligns with the Public Investment Fund’s broader strategy to diversify the Kingdom’s economy through investments in high-growth sectors.
Electronic Arts is one of the world’s leading video game publishers, known for blockbuster franchises including EA Sports FC, Battlefield, The Sims, and Madden NFL, serving hundreds of millions of players worldwide.
