Gaming publisher Electronic Arts (EA) has announced that it is set to be acquired by an investment consortium of PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The all-cash transaction is worth approximately $55bn (~£41.2bn).
The transaction marks the largest all-cash sponsor take-private investment in history, and is expected to close in Q1 FY2027, subject to regulatory approval.
Following the transaction’s conclusion, EA’s common stock will no longer be listed publicly. The gaming publisher will remain headquartered in Redwood City, California, and Andrew Wilson will remain as CEO.
In the press release, Wilson said: “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 energised than ever about the future we are building.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the consortium will obtain 100% of the gaming giant, with PIF rolling over its current 9.9% stake in the company.
Stockholders will receive $210 (~£157) per share in cash. The price per share is 25% more than EA’s unaffected stock price of $168.32 (~£126.12) on September 25th, 2025. This is also more than EA’s record high of $179.01 (~£133.65) at market close on August 14th, 2025.
EA is a major brand in the gaming space and is behind some of the most popular esports titles like EA FC 26 and Apex Legends.
Who Are EA’s Investors?
Each investor of the consortium has a portfolio spanning various industries, including esports.
PIF is the Saudi Arabian government’s sovereign wealth fund and has been met with criticism regarding its investments in the past due to the country’s controversial social policies.
PIF has made several game-focused acquisitions through its subsidiary, Savvy Games Group. This includes the purchase of Niantic, Scopley, and ESL FACEIT Group, and holds a significant stake in Nintendo.
“PIF is uniquely positioned in the global gaming and esports sectors, building and supporting ecosystems that connect fans, developers, and IP creators,” said Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments at PIF.
“PIF has demonstrated a strong commitment to these sectors, and this partnership will help further drive EA’s long-term growth, while fuelling innovation within the industry on a global scale.”
Miami-based investment firm Affinity Partners was founded in 2021 by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the 47th United States President, Donald Trump. It has not publicly disclosed any previous investments in other gaming or esports companies.
Silver Lake is a global technology investing firm with over $110bn (~£89.1bn) in assets worldwide. It has previously invested in Unity, the game development engine platform used in popular titles like the mobile adaptation of League of Legends: Wild Rift.
“The future for EA is bright,” said Egon Durban, Co-CEO and Managing Partner of Silver Lake. “We are going to invest heavily to grow the business and we are excited to support Andrew and the EA team as the company accelerates innovation, expands its reach worldwide, and continues to deliver incredible experiences to players and fans across generations.”
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