Electronic Arts has revealed that all legal clearances required for its merger deal have now been granted, with the acquisition expected to be finalized in early August. Electronic Arts has been the target of a Saudi Arabian investment firm since September 2025, and the acquisition process hasn’t been particularly swift due to technical hurdles and the deal’s scale.
Despite challenges, many analysts expected the acquisition to be cleared soon, as the European Union appeared open to approving the deal between EA and the Public Investment Fund (PIF). If everything goes according to plan, the acquiring firms will have to pay $55 billion, making it one of the largest acquisition deals in the video game industry.
EA to Be Acquired by Saudi Arabian PIF on August 4
According to a newly filed official report, EA and PIF have secured all the regulatory approvals required for the upcoming acquisition. This means the deal has now been cleared by the relevant regulators, including those in the US, Europe, and other jurisdictions. EA also revealed that it expects the acquisition to be completed on August 4, 2026.
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EA’s new private owners will be PIF, Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake. PIF will become the majority shareholder, controlling more than 93% of the company. The remaining ownership will be split between Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, with the latter holding the smallest stake. One of the notable figures involved in the EA’s deal, besides Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the current US president and the founder of Affinity Partners.
According to EA’s filings, the deal is not yet final, as several factors could still delay or affect the process. These include unexpected issues, new regulatory requirements, or EA’s possible legal challenges. If none of these prevent the merger from closing, shareholders will receive $210 per share, which is reportedly a 25% premium over EA’s share price before the acquisition (via Yahoo Finance).
One of the biggest concerns surrounding EA’s impending acquisition is the possibility of the Saudi Arabian firm influencing the company’s creative direction. Both gamers and industry insiders have expressed concerns that PIF’s political background could negatively affect EA’s flagship franchises in the long run. However, both parties involved in the deal have reassured fans that the acquisition will not change how the American video game publisher’s studios operate.
Another controversial aspect of the current leveraged buyout is the recent layoffs at EA. As the company has cut many jobs, CEO Andrew Wilson is expected to receive a significant compensation package. According to Yahoo Finance, Wilson “stands to gain an additional $125 million if terminated without cause after the acquisition.” Wilson is already facing backlash after reports revealed that he earned $38 million in a single fiscal year while EA was laying off many of its employees. It remains to be seen how the acquisition will affect both Wilson’s and EA’s future in the coming months.
