Electronic Arts (EA), the publisher behind the FIFA series, Apex Legends, and The Sims series video games, has completed its USD 55 billion (£41 billion) acquisition by a consortium comprising Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake and Affinity Partners.
The transaction, first announced in September 2025, received shareholder approval in December and officially closed this week. As a result, EA has become a privately held company, with its shares delisted from the Nasdaq stock exchange. Existing shareholders will receive $210 in cash for each share held at the time the deal closed.
The acquisition is regarded as one of the largest leveraged buyouts on record. According to previous disclosures, PIF committed around $36 billion to the transaction and secured approximately $20 billion in financing from JPMorgan, with the debt expected to be carried by the company following the acquisition.
Andrew Wilson, EA's chairman and chief executive, said the company would use the backing of its new owners to invest in technology, innovation and future gaming experiences.
Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments at PIF, said the consortium viewed entertainment and sports as strategic investment areas and intended to support EA's long-term growth.
Affinity Partners, led by US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, also backed the acquisition. “We're excited to support the company as it continues to reach new audiences, inspire the next generation of creators, and expand the ways people around the world connect through play,” Kushner said in a recent statement.
Silver Lake Chief Executive Egon Durban said the investors planned to expand investment in the company, including the use of AI to enhance game development and player experiences.
The transaction further expands Saudi Arabia's presence in the global gaming industry through PIF, which has invested heavily in video game companies and esports as part of the kingdom's broader economic diversification strategy.
