Electronic Arts (EA) has announced it will be acquired for $55 billion by an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), private equity firm Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The all-cash transaction, approved by EA’s board of directors, will take the company private once the deal closes.
Under the terms of the agreement, EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash, representing a 25% premium over the company’s “unaffected” share price of $168.32. The transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of EA’s fiscal year 2027, pending regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Following the acquisition, EA will continue to operate under its current name and maintain its headquarters in Redwood City, California. CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his role and join the new board of directors once the deal is complete.
“Our creative and passionate teams at EA have delivered extraordinary experiences for hundreds of millions of fans, built some of the world’s most iconic IP, and created significant value for our business. This moment is a powerful recognition of their remarkable work,” Wilson stated in a press release. “Looking ahead, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sports, and technology, unlocking new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire generations to come. I am more energized than ever about the future we are building.”
EA’s extensive portfolio includes globally successful franchises such as FIFA, Madden NFL, Battlefield, The Sims, and Apex Legends. Several new projects are also in development, including Battlefield 6, Plants vs. Zombies: Replanted, Star Wars: Zero Company, the next Mass Effect, and a new Iron Man game from Motive Studios.
The announcement follows a year of restructuring at the company, which included layoffs impacting more than 600 employees in 2024, workforce reductions at Respawn Entertainment earlier this year, and the closure of Black Panther developer Cliffhanger Games.
