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Tue, 04 Aug 2026

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 Saudi-led group completes $55bn purchase of gaming giant EA

The deal takes the maker of titles including The Sims and EA FC into private ownership - and loads it with debt.
Electronic Arts (EA), a leading game developer, has been sold to a group of investors including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) for $55 billion. This acquisition marks one of the largest leveraged buyouts in history, with PIF borrowing $20 billion from investment bankers JPMorgan to close the deal. As a result, EA will become a private company, and its public shares will no longer be traded on stock exchanges. The sale has raised concerns among gamers and industry analysts, who worry about the potential impact of the acquisition on EA's business practices and creative decisions. Some have speculated that the new ownership may lead to increased monetization strategies, layoffs, and cost-cutting measures at the company. PIF's involvement in the deal has also sparked controversy due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record and its own policies regarding LGBTQ+ individuals. The advocacy group Players Alliance HQ is petitioning against the acquisition, citing concerns about censorship and influence on creative decisions. The value of EA to PIF extends beyond its financial performance, with Osborn suggesting that it represents a "soft power asset" in the gaming industry. Saudi Arabia's PIF has invested heavily in sports ventures, including the takeover of Newcastle United football club, and has been accused of using these investments to project its influence and distract from human rights issues. The acquisition is seen as a strategic move by PIF to expand its reach and influence in the gaming industry, with EA's global popularity and successful franchises such as FIFA (now rebranded as EA FC) providing a valuable platform for Saudi Arabia's soft power ambitions.