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Electronic Arts (EA), one of the world’s most recognizable gaming companies, has agreed to a monumental $55 billion (£41bn) sale — a deal set to become the largest leveraged buyout in history.
The buyers are a powerful consortium made up of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity giant Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. Together, they will take EA private, meaning its public shares will be bought up and it will no longer be traded on the stock exchange.
The price tag represents a significant 25% premium on EA’s market value, valuing shares at $210 each. While it is the second-most valuable gaming deal ever — trailing only Microsoft’s $69bn acquisition of Activision Blizzard — it carries enormous financial and industry implications.
Founded more than 40 years ago, EA has shaped gaming history through franchises that have sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide. Its football series, now branded EA Sports FC after the end of its FIFA partnership, has sold over 325 million units since 1993. Other blockbuster franchises include The Sims (200 million copies sold) and Need for Speed (150 million). EA has also published acclaimed series like Mass Effect, Battlefield, and Madden NFL, while historically serving as the publisher for Harry Potter and James Bond games.
EA’s cultural impact remains strong. This year’s release, EA FC 26, features football stars Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala on its cover, highlighting EA’s continued dominance in the sports gaming space.
What makes this acquisition extraordinary is the financial structure behind it. Around $36bn will come directly from the buyers, with the remaining balance financed through debt. That debt — estimated at around $20bn — has sparked industry concern.
Christopher Dring, a leading gaming industry analyst, noted that EA has long been open to a buyer but said private equity’s involvement is surprising. “The revenue generated by big games like EA Sports FC, Madden, and Battlefield 6 will be needed to service this debt, which may impact EA’s ability to invest in new games,” he told the BBC.
Fears of job cuts also loom, as investors may pressure EA to maximize cash flow to handle repayments. For players, this raises questions about whether EA’s ability to innovate could be constrained.
The deal underscores Saudi Arabia’s fast-expanding ambitions in gaming. PIF, which controls hundreds of billions in assets, has already made several high-profile gaming investments. In 2023, PIF subsidiary Savvy Games Group bought Scopely — the makers of Monopoly Go — for $4.9bn. In 2025, it acquired Niantic’s gaming division for $3.5bn, securing control of Pokémon Go.
Beyond acquisitions, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a global esports hub. It has hosted major events like the eSports World Cup and is slated to host the Olympic Esports Games in 2027. The kingdom also holds stakes in industry giants such as Nintendo and Take-Two Interactive.
However, Saudi Arabia’s growing influence comes with controversy. The country’s leadership, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has faced international criticism over human rights issues, including the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi — an act a 2019 UN report attributed to the Saudi state.
For EA, the $55bn deal represents both opportunity and risk. CEO Andrew Wilson, who will stay in his role, described the acquisition as a “powerful recognition” of the company’s legacy and future potential. “Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come,” he said.
Yet with so much debt tied to the buyout, the challenge will be balancing financial obligations with creativity and innovation — the lifeblood of the gaming industry. The world will be watching closely as EA begins this unprecedented new chapter.
