The European Union has cleared the path for gaming history’s most colossal acquisition. The European Commission announced on Thursday that the acquisition of sole control of Electronic Arts by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia and partners has been approved. This is not just the largest gaming acquisition ever announced by enterprise value — it is the largest all-cash leveraged buyout in corporate history, surpassing the previous record of the $45 billion TXU buyout from 2007.
Two private equity firms, Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, are also involved in the deal. EA shareholders, who expect to receive $210 per share once the deal is finalized, granted overwhelming approval in December 2025. Completion is still expected to take place in the first quarter of 2027.
For gamers, this marks a watershed moment in industry consolidation. Once finalized, the PIF is expected to control more than 90% of Electronic Arts, giving Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund control over franchises including EA Sports FC, Battlefield, The Sims, and Apex Legends. EA has already stated that CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in charge, while the company’s headquarters will continue operating from California.
The acquisition represents a major milestone in the kingdom’s ambitions of becoming a gaming hub and works as a way to diversify the country’s economy away from oil. However, following the deal, lawmakers in the United States sent a letter to FTC chair Andrew Ferguson urging him to conduct a thorough investigation into potential socioeconomic consequences.
What does this mean for the future of your favorite EA franchises? Will Saudi ownership reshape how these iconic games are developed and monetized?
