Electronic Arts is preparing to become a privately owned company, with its historic $55 billion acquisition expected to close on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
In a newly published filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, EA confirmed that it has now received all required regulatory approvals for the transaction. The company is being acquired by an investment consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners.
The deal still depends on several standard closing conditions being completed or waived, but EA currently expects the sale to be finalized next week.
EA Will No Longer Be a Publicly Traded Company
Once the acquisition is complete, Electronic Arts will leave the public stock market and operate under the control of its new private ownership group.
The sale was first announced in September 2025 and is valued at approximately $55 billion, making it the largest leveraged buyout ever completed.
Funding for the transaction reportedly includes:
- Approximately $36 billion in equity investment
- Around $20 billion in new debt financing
- More than 93% ownership for Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund
The total funding exceeds the listed purchase price because it also covers financing costs and other expenses connected to the acquisition.
Andrew Wilson Will Remain EA’s CEO
Despite the ownership change, EA’s senior leadership and headquarters are not expected to move immediately.
Andrew Wilson will remain Chief Executive Officer, while the company will continue operating from its headquarters in Redwood City, California.
EA’s major studios, franchises, and publishing divisions will therefore remain under the same corporate structure for the time being, although future strategic changes are possible once the new owners assume control.
The Deal Was Delayed by Regulatory Approvals
EA originally expected the transaction to close near the end of its 2026 fiscal year in June.
However, the company still needed to secure several regulatory approvals, pushing the expected completion date back by approximately one month.
With those approvals now obtained, EA says the transaction is on track to close on August 4, provided the remaining customary conditions are satisfied.
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Employees Are Concerned About Possible Layoffs
The acquisition has raised concerns among employees because EA will take on approximately $20 billion in new debt as part of the transaction.
Companies involved in leveraged buyouts often face pressure to reduce costs and improve profitability to manage their new financial obligations.
EA has already experienced several rounds of layoffs since the deal was announced, and employees at studios including BioWare have reportedly expressed concern that additional job cuts could follow the acquisition.
There is currently no official confirmation of a larger restructuring plan, but the amount of debt involved has intensified speculation about possible studio closures, project cancellations, or further workforce reductions.
A Historic Change for Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts has operated as a publicly traded company for decades and remains one of the largest publishers in the video game industry.
Its portfolio includes major franchises such as:
- EA Sports FC
- Madden NFL
- Battlefield
- The Sims
- Apex Legends
- Mass Effect
- Dragon Age
The completion of the $55 billion sale will mark one of the most significant ownership changes in gaming history, placing EA and its biggest franchises under the control of a private investment group led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
