Electronic Arts has revealed that all legal clearances required for its $55 billion acquisition by a Saudi Arabia led consortium have now been secured, with the deal expected to be finalized on August 4, 2026. The acquisition, led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has been in progress since September 2025, with the process facing delays tied to the deal’s scale and various regulatory hurdles across multiple jurisdictions.
According to a newly filed official report, Electronic Arts and the Public Investment Fund have now secured all regulatory approvals required for the acquisition, including clearance from regulators in the United States, Europe, and other jurisdictions. This follows the European Union’s antitrust approval granted earlier this month, with the European Commission concluding the transaction would not raise competition concerns given its limited impact on markets where the companies operate.
Under the terms of the deal, Electronic Arts shareholders will receive $210 per share, representing a 25 percent premium over the company’s share price before the acquisition was announced. Once completed, the Public Investment Fund will become the majority shareholder, holding more than 93 percent of the company, with the remaining ownership split between Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, the smaller stake held by Affinity Partners, the firm founded by Jared Kushner. The transaction is structured as a leveraged buyout that would rank among the largest in history, with Electronic Arts taking on more than $20 billion in debt to finance the deal.
According to Electronic Arts’ filings, the deal is not yet entirely final, as unexpected issues, new regulatory requirements, or potential legal challenges could still affect the process. The acquisition has drawn scrutiny from some gamers and industry observers over concerns that the Public Investment Fund’s political background could influence Electronic Arts’ creative direction going forward, though both parties involved in the deal have said the acquisition will not change how the publisher’s studios operate. The deal has also drawn attention over compensation arrangements for Electronic Arts Chief Executive Officer Andrew Wilson, who is reported to be eligible for an additional $125 million if terminated without cause following the acquisition, a detail that has drawn criticism given recent layoffs at the company.
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