Electronic Arts (EA) has officially become a privately owned company after a group of investors completed a massive $55 billion acquisition on Tuesday. The deal is one of the biggest in the history of the video game industry and marks the end of EA’s time as a publicly traded company.
EA announced last week that the acquisition had received all the necessary approvals from regulators. With those approvals in place, the investors completed the takeover. The process took several months longer than originally expected.
The plan to buy EA was first announced in September 2025. Later, in December 2025, EA shareholders voted in favor of the deal during a special meeting. Now that the acquisition is complete, EA’s shares have stopped trading and will soon be removed from the Nasdaq stock exchange.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Becomes Main Owner
The biggest investor in the deal is Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which now owns more than 93% of Electronic Arts.
The investment group also includes technology-focused private equity company Silver Lake and investment firm Affinity Partners. Together, they completed the $55 billion purchase of the game publisher.
Andrew Wilson Will Continue as CEO
Although the company has new owners, Andrew Wilson will continue serving as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EA. He will remain responsible for leading the company’s future strategy and game development.
EA will also continue operating from its headquarters in Redwood City, California, and there are no announced plans to move its main offices.
Biggest Leveraged Buyout in History
The acquisition is being described as the largest leveraged buyout (LBO) ever completed.
To finance the purchase, the investor group borrowed around $20 billion. This means EA will now be responsible for paying back that debt over time. Managing this large financial obligation will become an important part of the company’s future business plans.
Despite taking on this debt, EA remains a profitable company. For the financial quarter ending June 30, EA reported a profit of $387 million after paying operating expenses and taxes.
EA Begins a New Chapter
In a letter sent to employees after the deal was completed, CEO Andrew Wilson said the company was beginning a new chapter as a privately owned business.
Wilson said that EA’s main goal remains the same: creating some of the world’s best video games, building strong gaming communities, and supporting a creative workplace for employees.
He also said the company will continue focusing on creativity, innovation, and delivering high-quality games under its new ownership.
What This Means for Gamers
For most players, there will be no immediate changes. EA will continue developing and publishing popular games, including franchises such as EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Need for Speed, and Dragon Age.
However, becoming a private company could allow EA to focus more on long-term projects without the pressure of reporting quarterly financial results to public shareholders. The new owners are expected to support investments in game development, new technologies, and future growth.
The $55 billion acquisition is one of the biggest deals ever completed in the gaming industry and marks a major milestone in Electronic Arts’ history as it starts its next phase under private ownership.
