Saudi PIF Secures EU Approval for $55 Billion Electronic Arts Acquisition

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), together with Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners and private‑equity firm Silver Lake, is set to receive clearance from the European Commission for its $55 billion purchase of video‑game developer Electronic Arts. The deal, the largest leveraged buyout in history, is being reviewed under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation, with the preliminary assessment concluding on July 30, followed by an unconditional merger‑rules clearance expected by July 22.

The acquisition aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy beyond oil and to establish the kingdom as a global hub for gaming and esports. No comment has been provided by the Commission or EA. The transaction follows earlier Middle‑East cross‑border deals that faced extensive EU scrutiny, such as Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC bid for Germany’s Covestro and the UAE’s e& purchase of Czech telecom assets.