Gaming writer Digital Arts (EA) has introduced that it’s set to be acquired by an funding consortium of PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Companions. The all-cash transaction is price roughly $55bn (~£41.2bn).
The transaction marks the most important all-cash sponsor take-private funding in historical past, and is anticipated to shut in Q1 FY2027, topic to regulatory approval.
Following the transaction’s conclusion, EA’s widespread inventory will not be listed publicly. The gaming writer will stay headquartered in Redwood Metropolis, California, and Andrew Wilson will stay as CEO.
Within the press launch, Wilson stated: “Wanting forward, we’ll proceed to push the boundaries of leisure, sports activities, and know-how, unlocking new alternatives. Along with our companions, we’ll create transformative experiences to encourage generations to come back. I’m extra energised than ever concerning the future we’re constructing.”
Below the phrases of the settlement, the consortium will receive 100% of the gaming large, with PIF rolling over its present 9.9% stake within the firm.
Stockholders will obtain $210 (~£157) per share in money. The value per share is 25% greater than EA’s unaffected inventory value of $168.32 (~£126.12) on September twenty fifth, 2025. That is additionally greater than EA’s file excessive of $179.01 (~£133.65) at market shut on August 14th, 2025.
EA is a significant model within the gaming house and is behind among the hottest esports titles like EA FC 26 and Apex Legends.
Who Are EA’s Buyers?
Every investor of the consortium has a portfolio spanning numerous industries, together with esports.
PIF is the Saudi Arabian authorities’s sovereign wealth fund and has been met with criticism relating to its investments previously as a result of nation’s controversial social insurance policies.
PIF has made a number of game-focused acquisitions by its subsidiary, Savvy Video games Group. This contains the acquisition of Niantic, Scopley, and ESL FACEIT Group, and holds a major stake in Nintendo.
“PIF is uniquely positioned within the world gaming and esports sectors, constructing and supporting ecosystems that join followers, builders, and IP creators,” stated Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of Worldwide Investments at PIF.
“PIF has demonstrated a powerful dedication to those sectors, and this partnership will assist additional drive EA’s long-term progress, whereas fuelling innovation throughout the business on a worldwide scale.”
Miami-based funding agency Affinity Companions was based in 2021 by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of the forty seventh United States President, Donald Trump. It has not publicly disclosed any earlier investments in different gaming or esports corporations.
Silver Lake is a worldwide know-how investing agency with over $110bn (~£89.1bn) in property worldwide. It has beforehand invested in Unity, the sport improvement engine platform utilized in common titles just like the cellular adaptation of League of Legends: Wild Rift.
“The long run for EA is brilliant,” stated Egon Durban, Co-CEO and Managing Associate of Silver Lake. “We’re going to make investments closely to develop the enterprise and we’re excited to help Andrew and the EA group as the corporate accelerates innovation, expands its attain worldwide, and continues to ship unbelievable experiences to gamers and followers throughout generations.”
