• EA shareholders approve USD 55B sale to Saudi Arabia’s PIF, marking one of the largest all-cash take-private deals ever.
• Taking EA private allows developers to focus on game quality, away from public investor pressure and quarterly performance targets.
• PIF’s acquisition reflects Saudi Arabia’s push to diversify into gaming and digital entertainment, expanding its global media footprint.

Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc (EA) shareholders approved the USD 55 billion sale of the company to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). This is a major deal between a leading video game publisher and Saudi’s sovereign wealth investor.

The EA investors based in Redwood City in California, approved the USD 210 per share takeover in a vote on the 22nd of December 2025.

EA is betting heavily on its sports titles like FC 26 and shooters such as Battlefield 6 to maintain momentum. The company faces an industry where players are spending more selectively. Thus, private ownership will allow its developer to focus on making good games without pressure from public investors to meet quarterly targets. Furthermore, private ownership could give EA the flexibility to reposition in a shifting market.

Once the acquisition completes, PIF will own 93.4% of the company. Thus, the EA will be taken private after more than four decades as a publicly listed firm.

Gaming

Earlier in September, EA finalized an agreement with PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners in what is set to become one of the largest all-cash take-private deals in history. 

Prior to the deal, PIF held around 10% of EA’s outstanding shares. Additionally, the sovereign wealth investor continues expanding its gaming portfolio through Savvy Games Group

Bottom Line: PIF’s interest in EA highlights gaming’s role in Saudi’s diversification strategy.  The deal aims to accelerate Saudi’s push to position itself as a global hub in entertainment and digital culture.