Electronic Arts’ buyout is complete. EA was acquired by a consortium of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake and Affinity Partners; the company announced the transaction’s close on August 4, 2026. Its headline enterprise value was approximately $55 billion, while the agreed cash payment to shareholders was $210 per share.
Who bought Electronic Arts?
EA was acquired by a three-member consortium: PIF, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund; Silver Lake, an investment firm; and Affinity Partners, an investment firm run by Jared Kushner, according to the Associated Press. It is therefore inaccurate to say Saudi Arabia or PIF alone bought EA. EA’s agreement announcement and its closing announcement name all three buyers. The Associated Press describes EA as the publisher behind games including Battlefield and The Sims.
What happened, and when did the deal close?
EA announced a definitive acquisition agreement on September 29, 2025. The company announced that the transaction had successfully closed on August 4, 2026, so the buyout is no longer a proposal awaiting completion.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 29, 2025 | EA announced its definitive agreement with PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. EA described an all-cash transaction with an enterprise value of approximately $55 billion. EA announcement |
| August 4, 2026 | EA announced the acquisition had closed and reiterated the $210 cash payment per share for stockholders as of closing. EA closing announcement |
How much was EA bought for?
The approximately $55 billion figure is the deal’s enterprise value, not the amount paid for each share. Under the announced terms, EA stockholders were to receive $210 in cash for each share. SEC-hosted merger materials describe that offer as a 25% premium to EA’s $168.32 closing share price on September 25, 2025, identified in those materials as the last fully unaffected trading day. The premium compares the offer with that specific historical share price; it is not a statement about the value of EA shares at closing. SEC merger materials
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#1 Best Overall
- PHYSICAL CARTRIDGE- Standard Edition for Nintendo Switch (cartridge) includes the full EA SPORTS FC 27 game. Not compatible with Nintendo Switch 2 console.
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Because the buyers acted as a consortium, the $55 billion headline should not be presented as an amount paid by PIF alone. The cited announcements establish the consortium and transaction terms but do not attribute the entire purchase price to any one member.
Was it gaming’s second-biggest deal ever?
The “second biggest” description belongs specifically to comparisons among video-game acquisitions—not to corporate acquisitions across all industries. A Q3 2025 market update from Aream & Co. places the approximately $55 billion EA transaction among the largest public gaming takeovers. However, the available comparison does not establish a complete ranking using one consistent valuation basis for every candidate deal. The defensible description is that EA’s buyout was one of gaming’s largest acquisitions; a precise second-place ranking needs a clearly defined comparison set and methodology. Aream & Co., Q3 2025 Video Game Market Update
Rank #2
- Standard Edition for PlayStation 5 (disc) includes the full EA SPORTS College Football 27 game.
- DYNASTY BLUEPRINT – Control your program’s future with recruiting, NIL, staff, facilities, and Athletic Director Expectations..
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What could the acquisition mean for EA and players?
At closing, EA CEO Andrew Wilson said the company would “invest boldly, accelerate innovation, and build the next generation of games and experiences for the hundreds of millions of players and fans who inspire us every day,” as quoted by the Associated Press. That is management’s stated ambition, not evidence that specific games, studios, staffing decisions, creative control, monetization or player experiences have already changed. The announcements and closing coverage do not establish those post-acquisition outcomes.
EA reported approximately $7.5 billion in GAAP net revenue for fiscal year 2026 in its closing announcement. That is company-reported revenue, not the acquisition value, and the figure alone does not demonstrate how ownership will affect future performance. Associated Press closing report, August 5, 2026
Quick Recap
Best Value
- PHYSICAL DISC - Standard Edition for PlayStation 5 (disc) includes the full EA SPORTS FC 27 game. Not compatible with PlayStation 4 console.
- Experience The World's Game in EA SPORTS FC 27. Play in The Grounds, team up with friends in Clubs, learn from football mentors and express your style on and off the pitch
- Enjoy more authentic gameplay with dynamic corners, enhanced attacking intelligence, player-focused defending and community-inspired innovations that give you greater control in every match.
- Build your legacy in Manager Career with a rebuilt Transfer Market and Dynamic OVRs, then create your dream squad in Football Ultimate Team and showcase your achievements in the new FUT Gallery.
Rank #4
- Standard Edition for Xbox Series X (disc) includes the full EA SPORTS College Football 27 game. Not compatible with Xbox One.
- DYNASTY BLUEPRINT – Control your program’s future with recruiting, NIL, staff, facilities, and Athletic Director Expectations..
- ROAD TO GLORY – Build your player, explore new positions, earn NIL deals, chase the Heisman, and raise your Legacy Score.
- MASCOT MASHUP – Play as your favorite mascot, collect 120+ icons, and compete in wild 11-on-11 matchups full of school spirit.
Rank #3
- EA SPORTS FC 25 Experience more ways to win for the club in EA SPORTS FC 25. Team up with friends in your favourite modes with the new 5v5 Rush and manage your club to victory as FC IQ delivers more tactical control than ever before.
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