Electronic Arts is preparing to become a privately owned company after its proposed $55 billion acquisition received all required regulatory approvals.
The transaction is expected to close after trading ends on August 4, 2026. Once completed, EA will become a wholly owned subsidiary of a company formed by an investor group led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
The deal will end EA’s 37 year period as a publicly traded company. The publisher entered the stock market in January 1989 through an initial public offering valued at approximately $84 million, seven years after the company was founded.
According to the planned ownership structure, the Public Investment Fund will control 93.4 percent of the business. Silver Lake will hold 5.5 percent, while Affinity Partners will own the remaining 1.1 percent.
| Transaction detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Purchase value | $55 billion |
| Expected closing date | August 4, 2026 |
| Public Investment Fund stake | 93.4 percent |
| Silver Lake stake | 5.5 percent |
| Affinity Partners stake | 1.1 percent |
| EA public listing began | January 9, 1989 |
EA will leave the public market after nearly four decades
The acquisition agreement was signed in September 2025. Under its terms, a newly created company will merge with Electronic Arts, with EA continuing as the surviving business under private ownership.
The completion of regulatory reviews removes one of the final obstacles to the transaction. EA said all approvals needed for the merger had been secured as of July 30.
Going private could change how the publisher manages its studios and long term investments. Public companies face regular pressure to meet quarterly financial expectations, while private ownership can sometimes provide more flexibility for projects that require several years of development.
However, private ownership does not guarantee that EA’s studios will face less pressure. The investor group paid a substantial price for the company and will still expect the business to deliver strong returns. Cost reductions, changes in development priorities, and greater focus on profitable franchises could remain possible.
EA enters the deal with several valuable global franchises
EA built much of its early growth around sports games. The launch of John Madden Football helped establish a recurring business that later expanded into football, hockey, mixed martial arts, and other licensed sports series.
The company also increased its reach through major studio acquisitions. Maxis brought The Sims under EA’s control, while Criterion Games, DICE, and BioWare added racing games, shooters, and role playing franchises to its catalogue.
Today, EA owns or operates properties including Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, Need for Speed, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and several EA Sports series. These established brands are likely to remain central to the new owners’ plans.
Some parts of the company may face greater uncertainty than others. BioWare has experienced several difficult releases in recent years, including Anthem, Mass Effect: Andromeda, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Reports of concern among its employees have increased speculation about possible restructuring, job reductions, or changes to the studio’s future projects.
No closure or major reorganisation has been officially confirmed.
Private ownership could bring flexibility and new pressure
The acquisition arrives during a difficult period for employment across the games industry. EA has already carried out layoffs at teams connected to major projects, even while senior executive compensation has increased.
Chief Executive Officer Andrew Wilson recently received a large pay increase following the commercial performance of Battlefield 6. That decision attracted attention because layoffs affected studios involved in producing the game.
The new ownership structure may allow EA to make decisions without reacting to short term movements in its share price. It could invest more patiently in development, technology, and large franchises. At the same time, the concentration of ownership gives the investor group significant control over studio budgets, staffing, and creative priorities.
The closing of the transaction will mark one of the largest ownership changes in the history of the games business. EA will retain its name and operations, but its financial reporting and corporate accountability will change once its shares are removed from public trading.
For EA’s employees and players, the important question is how the new owners will manage the company after the deal closes. The regulatory process is nearly finished, but the long term effect on its studios and games remains uncertain.
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