EA $55 Billion Acquisition by Saudi Approved by EU

The acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA) by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) has taken another major step forward. The European Commission has officially approved the acquisition of the company, valued at $55 billion.

Announced in September 2025, the deal had already been approved by EA shareholders, who are set to receive US$210 per share when the transaction is completed. It is worth noting that the closing of the deal is expected in the first quarter of 2027. In addition to the PIF, private investment firms Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners are also participating in the transaction.

Even before the acquisition, the Saudi fund was already one of EA’s main investors and held a 10% stake in the company. The PIF also owns shares in other gaming giants, such as Take-Two Interactive, the company behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

At the time of the announcement, Turqi Alnowaiser, PIF’s deputy governor and head of International Investments, said the fund is in a "unique position" in the gaming and esports sectors by supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and intellectual property creators. According to the executive, the partnership should "drive EA’s long-term growth and foster innovation in the gaming industry."

In approving the deal, the European Commission said the merger will have a "limited impact" on the European Economic Area and that the market share resulting from the transaction does not raise competition concerns. As a result, the acquisition moves into its final stage and, if no new regulatory obstacles arise, EA will officially come under the control of the Saudi fund in 2027.