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ProPakistani
EA Will Go Private Next Week in Historic $55 Billion Buyout
Electronic Arts is expected to complete its transition to a private company by August 4 after obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals for the $55 billion takeover spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The acquisition culminates a nearly 37-year tenure as a publicly traded entity, initially valued at around $84 million during its public offering in 1989. With the consortium structure solidified, the implications for staff, particularly at major studios like BioWare, will unfold post-acquisition.
MonitorConfidence: HighShort term horizonTalent displacement risk: High
Published 31 Jul 2026, 13:55 UTC2 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- EA's acquisition valued at $55 billion, the largest all-cash sponsor take-private deal in history.
- Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will hold 93.4% of EA post-merger.
- The deal received all regulatory approvals, including from the European Union.
- Concerns are emerging regarding potential job cuts at BioWare and other studios.
- EA has a history of expansions and acquisitions, recently involving studios like DICE and Criterion.
Interesting facts
- EA went public in 1989, aligning with its early sports game successes.
- The merger marks a significant change in ownership with implications for gaming operations.