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OFFICIAL: Electronic Arts acquired by Saudi-US consortium in record $55bn deal
Tom Weber
- Updated: 29 Sept 2025 21:32 BST
- 4 min read
News
Electronic Arts has been privatised by a US-Saudi consortium in a record $55 billion deal, the company has announced.
The video games giant, which publishes successful franchises such as FC (formerly known as FIFA), Battlefield, Madden NFL, The Sims, has on Monday been taken over by a consortium led by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US president Donald Trump.
Kushner, through his investment company Affinity Partners, private equity firm Silver Lake and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) have acquired 100 per cent of EA in an unprecedented deal.
The consortium has paid $55 billion to acquire the entertainment company, representing "the largest "all-cash sponsor take-private investment in history," EA has announced. The entertainment heavyweight had been a publicly traded company for 36 years.
EA says that the takeover will allow it "to accelerate innovation and growth to build the future of entertainment" and enables "the Company to move faster and unlock new opportunities on a global stage."
PIF expand EA investment
The statement adds that the transaction is expected to close in quarter one of the 2027 fiscal year. For the PIF, it represents another huge acquisition in the sports entertainment sector.
The Saudi government-backed investment fund is headed by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Aramco chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan. The PIF acquired Premier League side Newcastle United in 2021, with Al-Rumayyan serving as chairman.
That same year, the PIF invested $2bn into Kushner's Affinity Partners. In addition to Newcastle, the PIF also owns the four biggest clubs in Saudi Arabia (Al-Ahli, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr).
Prior to this full takeover of EA, the PIF already owned a 9.9 per cent stake. The Saudi fund has also invested in video game companies Take-Two, Activision Blizzard, Nintendo and Embraces Group.
EA's statement quotes Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments of the PIF, as saying: “PIF is uniquely positioned in the global gaming and esports sectors, building and supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and IP creators.
"PIF has demonstrated a strong commitment to these sectors, and this partnership will help further drive EA’s long-term growth, while fueling innovation within the industry on a global scale.”
Former White House advisor Kushner said: “Electronic Arts is an extraordinary company with a world-class management team and a bold vision for the future. I've admired their ability to create iconic, lasting experiences, and as someone who grew up playing their games - and now enjoys them with his kids - I couldn't be more excited about what's ahead."
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