EA acquired for $55 billion by Saudis and Trump’s son-in-law
Electronic Arts (EA) is privatized for $ 55 billion, one of the biggest offers in the history of the game. Buyers include the Saudi Sovereign Pif fund, Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners and Silver Lake.
EA confirmed the takeover on September 29, 2025 in a press release. Shareholders will receive $ 210 per share, a bonus of 25% of the current share of action (before rumors).
The agreement – funded with 36 billion dollars in equity (including the participation of 9.9% of PIF) and a loan of $ 20 billion in JP Morgan – should be completed at the start of 2027 after the approval of shareholders and regulatory. It is the most expensive lever redemption of all time and the second biggest game agreement of all time, after the acquisition by Microsoft of Activision-Blizzard for $ 69 billion.
EA – Known for game franchises like Fifa,, Madden NFL,, Battlefield,, SimsAnd Speed need– is under pressure after studio closures and layoffs. Privatization allows longer development cycles without stock market pressures, explains the variety. CEO Andrew Wilson remains, as is the head office in Redwood City, California.
Saudis and Trump connections in the background
The PIF, led by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, diversifies Saudi Arabia beyond oil. The fund contains issues in Nintendo, Activision-Blizzard and Take-Two, and bought Esl, Faceit and Scopey. “The PIF is ideally positioned to stimulate games and esports,” said Turqi Alnowiser, Pif assistant.
Jared Kushner, son -in -law of President Trump and CEO of Affinity Partners, added: “EA creates emblematic experiences – I am enthusiastic about the future.” The investment company Silver Lake, with investments in Unity and Dell, stops the consortium.
This agreement is a source of controversy for many, however. The serious human rights violations of Saudi Arabia (for example, the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi) and the financing of the Kushner Pif ($ 2 billion) fuel the debate. Nevertheless, Saudite Vision 2030 stimulates game investments, with a view to the Esports 2025 World Cup as a highest point.
Implications for EA and industry
For EA, privatization means freedom to pursue longer development cycles for games like Fifa And Battlefield without quarterly pressures. After having reduced costs with hundreds of layoffs last year, this agreement could lead to stability. Indeed, the industry is consolidated with Tencent interested in the activities of Ubisoft and Pif (9.4% in EA since 2021, plus 55% more since 2023) have shaped the market.
The agreement must overcome regulatory obstacles, including in -depth examinations due to Saudi participation. Nothing will change for customers before at least 2027. EA remains a giant, earlier in private hands.
For investors and fans, this could be an important step that makes the game more global. However, as EA must support the reimbursement burden for $ 20 billion in debts, industry experts expect savings, restructuring and possibly job cuts.
This article originally appeared on our PC-Welt sister publication and was translated and located in German.
