# EA buyout by Saudi PIF completed, broader impact noted > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/electronic-arts-layoffs-amid-saudi-acquisition > Updated: 2026-08-31T18:40:00.000Z. Sources: 179. Developments: 13. Electronic Arts’ $55 billion leveraged buyout by a Saudi‑led consortium closed on 4 August 2026, giving the Public Investment Fund about 93.4% ownership, with Silver Lake (5.5%) and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners (1.1%) as co‑investors. Shareholders received $210 in cash per share and the company was delisted from Nasdaq, ending a 36‑year public listing. CEO Andrew Wilson and the Redwood City headquarters remain in place. The transaction also transferred ownership of the Swedish studio Dice to the same consortium, extending Saudi state involvement into European game development. This has sparked debate regarding foreign state influence over the gaming industry and the impact of Saudi ownership given concerns about human-rights practices in the kingdom. Analysts warned that the added $20 billion debt—making this one of the largest leveraged buyouts in history—could force $700 million of annual cost cuts, including $170 million for organisational efficiencies, raising the risk of mass layoffs and possible studio closures such as BioWare. The new private structure is intended to allow longer-term investment in technology and AI by removing quarterly reporting pressures. Following the transition to a private company, EA announced it will shut down servers for NHL 22 and NHL 23 on 1 September 2026, citing declining player bases and high maintenance costs for older titles. ## Claims - Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund will own 93.4% of EA shares after the merger. (corroborated by 32 sources) - Andrew Wilson will remain CEO of Electronic Arts after the transaction. (corroborated by 32 sources) - Electronic Arts was acquired for $55 billion. (corroborated by 31 sources) - The acquisition was completed in August 2026. (corroborated by 31 sources) - Silver Lake holds 5.5 % of EA. (corroborated by 31 sources) - Affinity Partners holds 1.1 % of EA. (corroborated by 31 sources) - Shareholders received $210 cash per share. (corroborated by 31 sources) - The merger includes approximately $20 billion of new debt financing. (corroborated by 30 sources) - $36 billion of the purchase price was paid in cash. (corroborated by 30 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Electronic Arts becomes private following $55 billion acquisition Electronic Arts has become a private company after the Saudi Public Investment Fund acquired a 93.4% stake in a $55 billion deal. Separately, servers for NHL 22 and NHL 23 will close on September 1. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/electronic-arts-becomes-private-following-55-billion-acquisition ### 2026-08-07: Saudi Arabia's PIF leads $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners have acquired Electronic Arts for $55 billion, taking the gaming giant private in one of the industry's largest deals. 15 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/electronic-arts-sold-to-saudi-pif-and-us-investors-in-55-billion-deal ### 2026-08-05: Jared Kushner and Saudi Arabia Acquire Electronic Arts and Dice Studio Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner’s investment firm have bought Electronic Arts and Swedish studio Dice, giving Saudi state influence over a major global game developer. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/jared-kushner-and-saudi-arabia-acquire-electronic-arts-and-dice-studio ### 2026-08-05: Electronic Arts sold to Saudi PIF‑led consortium for $55 billion, becomes private EA was bought for $55 billion by a Saudi‑led consortium, delisted from Nasdaq, with PIF holding 93.4 % and $210 per share paid. CEO Andrew Wilson stays on, $20 billion debt added, and $700 million cost cuts, sp 40 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/electronic-arts-acquired-by-saudi-led-consortium-in-55-billion-deal ### 2026-08-03: Electronic Arts sold to Saudi Public Investment Fund in $55bn deal Electronic Arts was bought for $55 bn by Saudi Arabia's PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners; PIF now owns 93.4 %, the deal closed Aug 4 2026, shareholders got $210 per share, and EA was delisted from Nasdaq. 71 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/electronic-arts-sold-to-saudi-backed-consortium-for-55-billion ### 2026-07-30: Electronic Arts to go private in $55 billion Saudi-led deal EA will become private after a $55 billion deal with Saudi PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, closing on Aug 4 2026; PIF will own 93.4%, Wilson stays CEO. 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-public-investment-fund-to-acquire-93-of-electronic-arts-in-55-billion-deal ### 2026-07-26: EU Approves Saudi-led $55 B Acquisition of Electronic Arts The EU has cleared a $55 billion Saudi‑led consortium’s purchase of Electronic Arts, allowing the company to go private pending U.S. regulator approvals. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/eu-approves-saudi-led-55-b-acquisition-of-electronic-arts ### 2026-07-23: EU Clears Saudi PIF's $55 B Takeover of Electronic Arts EU regulators approved the $55 bn Saudi‑PIF‑led acquisition of Electronic Arts, giving PIF about 93% control. The antitrust clear‑run marks the largest leveraged buyout ever, though foreign‑subsidy and U.S. FTC 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-pif-leads-55bn-electronic-arts-takeover-eu-clears-deal ### 2026-07-19: Electronic Arts acquisition by Saudi Public Investment Fund moves toward EU approval EU regulators are poised to approve Saudi Arabia's $55 bn takeover of Electronic Arts, giving the Public Investment Fund a 93% stake in the gaming giant. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-led-consortium-to-acquire-electronic-arts-in-55-billion-deal ### 2026-07-17: Saudi PIF Secures EU Approval for $55 Billion Electronic Arts Acquisition Saudi PIF, Affinity Partners and Silver Lake aim to complete a $55 bn buyout of Electronic Arts, with EU approval expected under foreign subsidy rules by July 30. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-pif-secures-eu-approval-for-55-billion-electronic-arts-acquisition ### 2026-06-23: Electronic Arts faces layoffs amid $55 billion Saudi-backed acquisition EA’s $55 bn Saudi‑backed buyout is prompting U.S. and India layoffs and provoking Sims players and a US lawmaker to protest the deal. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/electronic-arts-faces-layoffs-amid-55-billion-saudi-backed-acquisition ### 2026-06-22: Electronic Arts cuts support staff as $55 bn Saudi-backed sale looms Electronic Arts has laid off staff in recruitment, customer support, trust & safety and IT in the US and India as it prepares for a $55 bn Saudi-backed acquisition, marking the third layoff wave in 2026. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/electronic-arts-announces-new-round-of-layoffs-across-recruitment-support-and-safety-teams ### 2026-06-20: Electronic Arts launches new round of layoffs Electronic Arts has started a modest round of layoffs across multiple divisions as it readies for a $55 billion acquisition by a Saudi‑backed consortium, with more cuts likely. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/electronic-arts-launches-new-round-of-layoffs --- Cite as: EA buyout by Saudi PIF completed, broader impact noted. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/electronic-arts-layoffs-amid-saudi-acquisition