Electronic Arts has confirmed it has agreed to be acquired by an investor group made up of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners in a transaction valued at approximately $55 billion. The deal represents the largest all-cash sponsor take-private investment in history.
Terms of the Agreement
The investor group will acquire 100% of EA, with the Public Investment Fund rolling over its existing 9.9% stake.
- EA stockholders will receive $210 per share in cash.
- The purchase price reflects a 25% premium on EA’s unaffected closing share price of $168.32 (September 25, 2025).
- It also surpasses EA’s previous all-time high of $179.01 (August 14, 2025).
Following completion, EA’s common stock will be delisted from public markets.
Leadership and Operations
EA will continue to be led by Andrew Wilson, who remains Chairman and CEO. The company will also retain its headquarters in Redwood City, California.
In a statement, Wilson 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.
Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come. I am more energized than ever about the future we are building.”
The transaction is expected to close in Q1 FY27, subject to regulatory and shareholder approvals.
Financing the Deal
The deal is being funded through a combination of equity and debt financing:
- $36 billion in equity investment provided by PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners.
- $20 billion in debt financing, fully committed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., of which $18 billion is expected to fund at closing.
- Affinity Partners — an American investment firm founded in 2021 by Jared Kushner — will contribute alongside the other investors using capital under its own management.
Historical Context
The size of the deal puts it among the most significant acquisitions in gaming history.
- Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023 remains the largest overall takeover in the industry.
- By comparison, Sony’s $3.6 billion purchase of Bungie, and Take-Two’s $12.7 billion acquisition of Zynga, look small in scale.
- What makes EA’s sale unique is that it is the largest all-cash private equity-backed deal ever completed, signalling a major shift in how global investment funds are positioning themselves within the gaming and entertainment sector.
This move effectively removes EA from the public stock market, reshaping the company as a privately held giant with deep-pocketed backers and long-term investment ambitions.
Context and Upcoming Releases
The acquisition comes at a pivotal time for Electronic Arts, with several major launches on the horizon:
- Battlefield 6 (launching days after the announcement)
- EA Sports FC 26 and Skate (recent releases)
- Ongoing projects include Mass Effect (BioWare), Star Wars Jedi 3 (Respawn), and Iron Man (Motive).
With one of the biggest buyouts in gaming history looming, EA’s immediate future will be defined by how it balances these blockbuster titles with its new ownership structure.
