PIF-led consortium completes acquisition of EA in landmark gaming deal
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — A consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has completed its acquisition of video game giant Electronic Arts (EA), bringing one of the world's biggest gaming companies under private ownership and marking anothe
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. — A consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has completed its acquisition of video game giant Electronic Arts (EA), bringing one of the world's biggest gaming companies under private ownership and marking another major milestone in the Kingdom's global gaming ambitions.The deal, first announced in September 2025 and approved by EA shareholders in December, officially closed on Tuesday. Under the transaction, EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash, and the company's stock has been delisted from the Nasdaq.EA, one of the world's largest interactive entertainment companies, is behind globally recognized franchises including EA SPORTS FC, Madden NFL, Battlefield, The Sims, Apex Legends, Need for Speed, Dragon Age, and Mass Effect."This moment recognizes the extraordinary people whose creativity, ambition and passion have made EA one of the world's leading interactive entertainment companies," EA Chairman and CEO Andrew Wilson said. "We're entering this next chapter from a position of strength with partners who share our vision and ambition."Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments at PIF, said the sovereign wealth fund's experience as a minority investor over the past five years provided deep insight into EA's business and long-term potential."Entertainment and sports are key areas of strategic focus for PIF, and are among the fastest-growing and evolving sectors around the world," Alnowaiser said. "Together, the consortium is uniquely positioned to be a long-term partner to EA's management team in driving sustained growth and innovation."Silver Lake CEO Egon Durban said the consortium plans to invest heavily in EA's future growth, including expanding the use of artificial intelligence to enhance game development and player experiences.Affinity Partners CEO Jared Kushner said EA has created iconic stories and communities that connect hundreds of millions of people worldwide, adding that the consortium aims to help the company reach new audiences and inspire the next generation of creators.Strengthening Saudi Arabia's gaming strategyThe acquisition aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to become a global hub for gaming and esports.Gaming is one of the world's fastest-growing industries, and Saudi Arabia has identified the sector as a major driver of economic diversification, investment and job creation.According to Saudi customs data, the Kingdom imported more than 2.4 million video game consoles during 2024 and 2025, highlighting the rapid expansion of the domestic gaming market.The National Gaming and Esports Strategy aims to contribute more than SR50 billion to Saudi Arabia's GDP while positioning the Kingdom as a leading global destination for gaming and esports.Saudi Arabia is also home to more than 23.5 million gamers, representing approximately 67% of the population, making it one of the region's largest gaming markets.Savvy Games Group's expanding rolePIF-owned Savvy Games Group has become one of the Kingdom's primary vehicles for investing in and developing the global gaming industry.The company has pursued an aggressive investment strategy through major acquisitions, including mobile gaming developer Scopely, whose blockbuster title Monopoly GO! generated $5 billion in revenue within two years, as well as investments involving Embracer Group and Hero Esports.Savvy also plays a central role in growing Saudi Arabia's esports ecosystem through industry partnerships, talent development and the Savvy Academy, which offers specialized training programs and collaborates with leading academic institutions.The group's efforts also extend to global esports events. The 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh attracted 750 million views across more than 175 countries and featured around 2,000 of the world's top professional players, underscoring Saudi Arabia's growing influence in competitive gaming.