Electronic Arts has entered a new era after officially completing its $55 billion buyout, bringing an end to its time as a publicly traded company. The landmark acquisition, which was first announced last September, closed on Tuesday after clearing all required regulatory approvals. With the transaction now finalized, the gaming giant behind some of the industry’s biggest franchises will operate as a privately owned company under a new ownership group led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
The deal is one of the biggest developments the video game industry has witnessed in recent years and also sets a new financial milestone. According to the companies involved, the acquisition is the largest leveraged buyout in history, reflecting the growing global interest in gaming as one of the entertainment sector’s most valuable businesses.
Saudi-led consortium takes control of EA
Under the completed transaction, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund now owns more than 93% of Electronic Arts. Private equity firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners are also part of the ownership group that backed the acquisition. Although the company’s ownership has changed, Electronic Arts will continue operating from its headquarters in Redwood City, California.
The acquisition was first unveiled in September 2025, before receiving approval from EA shareholders several months later. While the companies initially expected to complete the process earlier, the deal ultimately closed after obtaining the necessary regulatory clearances.
Despite the ownership change, there will be continuity in the company’s leadership. Andrew Wilson will remain Chief Executive Officer, continuing to oversee Electronic Arts as it begins operating under private ownership. His continued role signals that the new investors intend to maintain stability while pursuing long-term growth.
Record buyout backed by billions in financing
The acquisition has attracted significant attention because of its financial structure. The buyers secured approximately $20 billion in debt financing to complete the transaction, making it the largest leveraged buyout ever completed. That debt will now be repaid over time through the company’s future operations and cash flow.
Electronic Arts remains one of the most profitable publishers in the gaming industry. For the fiscal quarter ending June 30, the company reported $387 million in profit after operating expenses and taxes. Analysts have noted that the company’s strong financial performance, combined with its portfolio of globally recognised gaming franchises, likely contributed to investor confidence in supporting such a massive acquisition.
Going private could also provide EA with greater flexibility when making long-term business decisions. Unlike publicly traded companies that face quarterly market pressure, privately owned firms often have more freedom to invest in large-scale projects, expand development pipelines and pursue strategic acquisitions without immediate shareholder scrutiny.
Andrew Wilson outlines EA’s future
Following the completion of the acquisition, CEO Andrew Wilson addressed employees in a letter discussing the company’s direction under its new ownership. Reaffirming EA’s long-term ambitions, Wilson said the company remains committed to “building the world’s greatest games, communities, and creative culture.”
Electronic Arts publishes some of the gaming industry’s most successful franchises across sports, action and role-playing genres, including EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, The Sims, Battlefield, Apex Legends and Dragon Age. The company’s catalogue reaches hundreds of millions of players worldwide through console, PC and mobile platforms, making it one of the most influential publishers in interactive entertainment.
The completion of the $55 billion acquisition also reflects broader investment trends across the global gaming industry, where sovereign wealth funds and private equity firms have increasingly targeted major publishers as gaming revenues continue to grow. As Electronic Arts begins its next chapter as a private company, industry observers will be watching closely to see how the new ownership structure shapes its future strategy, game development and expansion plans.
