Gaming Giant Electronic Arts Sells To KSA-Led Consortium In US$55 Billion Deal
The sale could close by Q1 2027, arming the California gaming giant with new firepower and partners to accelerate its global ambitions.
California-based Electronic Arts (EA), the studio behind some of the world’s biggest gaming franchises, including FIFA/EA Sports FC and Battlefield, is set to change hands in one of the largest transactions in video game history.
The company has announced a definitive agreement to be acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), California-based private equity firm Silver Lake, and Florida-based investment management firm Affinity Partners in an all-cash transaction that values EA at US$55 billion.
The transaction, still subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, is expected to close in the first quarter (Q1) of the 2027 fiscal year. If completed, it will mark a turning point for the California-based publisher, giving it the financial firepower and strategic backing to accelerate its global ambitions.
Founded by William M. Trip Hawkins in the US in 1982, Electronic Arts has spent four decades as one of the world’s largest independent video game publishers. With this buyout, the company will shift from being a publicly listed firm on Nasdaq to a private equity–backed business. The move underscores the magnitude of the transaction—described by Bloomberg as the "largest leveraged buyout on record"—redefining EA’s future ownership and strategic direction.
With PIF’s capital strength, Silver Lake’s track record in technology investments, and Affinity Partners’ global networks, the new ownership group is betting on opportunities that blend physical and digital worlds, deepen fan engagement, and expand EA’s reach across gaming, sports, and entertainment.
“PIF is uniquely positioned in the global gaming and esports sectors, building and supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and intellectual property (IP) creators,” said Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments at PIF, in a statement. “PIF has demonstrated a strong commitment to these sectors, and this partnership will help further drive EA’s long-term growth, while fueling innovation within the industry on a global scale.”
In an interview with Bloomberg, Andrew Wilson, CEO of Electronic Arts, said, “Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business. This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work.”
For Saudi Arabia, which will roll its existing 9.9 percent stake into the acquisition, the buyout represents its boldest push yet into interactive entertainment. Through its Savvy Games Group, PIF has already built a significant presence in the sector with high-profile investments, including Niantic, the maker of Pokémon Go, and Scopely, the developer of Monopoly Go!
The sale comes as EA, one of the US’s largest video game publishers, navigates a turbulent market. Industry-wide, soaring development costs have weighed heavily on studios, leading to layoffs and a slowdown in big-budget releases. Going private will allow EA to pursue a long-term strategy free from the demands of quarterly earnings, while its reliable sports franchises—led by Madden NFL and EA Sports FC—continue to provide steady revenue.
