EA sale closes at $55 billion

Electronic Arts has completed a $55 billion sale to an investor group that includes Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Affinity Partners, taking the maker of EA FC, Battlefield and The Sims out of public markets. Reaction pending.

The deal will buy all publicly traded EA shares, leaving the company privately held after one of the largest debt-funded corporate takeovers described in the transaction details. The structure matters for equities because a major listed gaming publisher is leaving the market while private capital takes on a larger role in financing large entertainment assets.

PIF debt reshapes EA ownership

Transaction details said PIF had already committed $36 billion to the deal and would need $20 billion in borrowing from JP Morgan to complete the financing. That debt is expected to sit on EA's balance sheet, shifting the company's financial profile from a public growth-and-cash-flow story to a leveraged private-equity-style asset.

EA enters the deal with durable franchises and live-service games that are updated long after release. The company generated $7.5 billion in revenue last year, while Battlefield 6 sold more than 7 million copies in its first three days after launching in October, setting a sales record for the series.

The main risk is execution under leverage. If cash generation from EA FC, The Sims and Battlefield remains steady, the new owners gain room to service debt and invest in franchises; if sales soften or costs rise, the debt burden could pressure hiring, studio budgets and release schedules across the gaming sector.

The next test comes in the 30 days after August 6, 2026, when investors will watch for delisting mechanics, debt-allocation details and any signal on EA's development pipeline.