Electronic Arts (EA), the gaming giant behind blockbuster franchises such as The Sims, Madden NFL, and Battlefield, is set to be acquired in a $55 billion deal. The transaction will see the company taken private with backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake, and investment company Affinity Partners, founded by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former President Donald Trump.

EA confirmed in a statement on September 29 that the acquisition will close during the 2027 fiscal year. Despite the change in ownership, the company will continue to operate from its headquarters in Redwood City, California, with Andrew Wilson remaining as CEO.

Why Saudi Arabia Wants EA

Saudi Arabia has been actively expanding its investments in gaming as part of its Vision 2030 initiative, which aims to diversify the nation’s economy beyond oil. Through PIF, the country has previously invested in major gaming companies such as Activision Blizzard, Nintendo, and Savvy Games Group, and even hosted the 2025 Esports World Cup.

This deal strengthens Saudi Arabia’s foothold in the global gaming industry, reflecting its ambition to become a dominant player in the sector.

Who Are the Investors?

• Public Investment Fund (PIF): Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, managing over $925 billion in assets, with stakes in companies such as Uber and Activision Blizzard.

• Silver Lake: A U.S.-based private equity firm known for investments in Dell Technologies, Noom, and sports marketing ventures. Silver Lake has also been involved in discussions to purchase U.S. assets of TikTok.

• Affinity Partners: Founded in 2021 by Jared Kushner, the firm focuses on U.S. and Israeli companies and is based in Miami, Florida.

What This Means for Gamers

The acquisition will not be finalized until the start of the 2027 fiscal year (April 2026), so gamers should expect no immediate changes in their gameplay experience or EA’s publishing schedule.

EA’s upcoming release, Battlefield 6, launches October 10 with a star-studded promotional lineup including Zac Efron, Morgan Wallen, Jimmy Butler, and Paddy Pimblett. The deal’s announcement is not expected to impact the release.

What This Means for Shareholders

Under the agreement, public shareholders will be bought out at $210 per share in cash. Once finalized, EA will transition into a privately owned company, giving its investors more control over long-term strategic goals without Wall Street’s quarterly pressures.

Looking Ahead

The $55 billion buyout underscores the growing intersection of gaming, global investment, and geopolitics. For now, gamers can rest assured that EA’s games and services will continue as usual—but the acquisition marks a major shift in the industry’s future direction.