Industry

Electronic Arts confirms its sale for $55 billion to a group of investors that includes Saudi Arabia

The deal is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2027, pending regulatory approvals

Update: Sep 29th, 2025 16:49 CEST

After a long run as one of the most prominent publicly traded companies in the video game industry, Electronic Arts (EA) has officially been sold. The publisher, known for major franchises like EA Sports FC and Battlefield, has signed a definitive agreement to be acquired for a staggering $55 billion. This marks a new chapter for the company as it transitions to a private entity backed by a consortium of powerful investors.

The acquisition is being led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, a key player in the private equity space. They are joined by two other major firms: Silver Lake, a global technology investment company led by co-CEO Egon Durban, and Affinity Partners, the investment firm of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law. This deal represents the largest leveraged buyout in history, according to Bloomberg, highlighting the immense value and social impact of EA’s intellectual properties.

Electronic Arts confirms its sale for $55 billion to a group of investors that includes Saudi Arabia — Gabriel Huerta

A new era for the company

In a statement, EA’s current CEO, Andrew Wilson, will remain in his role, with the company’s headquarters in Redwood City, California, also remaining unchanged. Wilson expressed his excitement for the future, stating that the acquisition is a “powerful recognition” of his team’s hard work. He also highlighted that the new partnership will allow the company to “expand the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology” and “create transformative experiences that will inspire generations to come. This move to a private company comes at a time of significant change for EA. In the past year, the company has faced a number of challenges, including laying off over 650 employees in an effort to “streamline” its business.

The new ownership group has made it clear that they see this as a long-term investment. Silver Lake’s Egon Durban said that the group plans to “invest heavily” in EA and help the company “expand its reach worldwide.” The deal is expected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2027, pending regulatory approvals. This sale effectively ends EA’s 35-year history as a public company and ushers in a new era for the publisher under private ownership.