The consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has completed the Electronic Arts acquisition, marking a major milestone in the global gaming sector.
According to a report by Asharq Al-Awsat, the transaction transitions the American video game publisher into a private entity. The consortium also includes investment firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, establishing a long-term partnership to expand the company’s global reach.
Details of the Electronic Arts acquisition
The completion of the Electronic Arts acquisition represents a significant expansion of Saudi Arabia’s presence in the global Gaming & Entertainment industry. Following the finalization of all regulatory and financial procedures, the company’s shares have been officially delisted from the NASDAQ stock exchange. Under the terms of the final agreement, which was initially announced on September 29, 2025, shareholders are receiving $210 in cash per share.
The transaction previously received formal approval from the company’s shareholders during an extraordinary meeting held in December 2025. As a private entity, the publisher will continue to manage its portfolio of global intellectual properties. These franchises include EA SPORTS FC, Battlefield, Apex Legends, The Sims, and Need for Speed, which engage millions of active players worldwide.
Financial Terms and Delisting
Following the Electronic Arts acquisition, Andrew Wilson, Chairman and CEO of the company, stated that the publisher enters this new phase from a position of strength. He noted that the partnership will focus on accelerating the development of new gaming experiences and expanding investments in product development. Meanwhile, Turqi Al-Nowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments at the Public Investment Fund, highlighted the fund’s five-year history of investment in the publisher.
“We possess a deep understanding of the company’s global platform and its extensive portfolio of gaming franchises. The entertainment and sports sectors remain strategic priorities for the fund, and this transaction aligns with our long-term partnership strategy.”
Turqi Al-Nowaiser, Deputy Governor of PIF
Furthermore, Egon Durban, CEO of Silver Lake, indicated that the consortium plans to invest in the publisher’s growth. Specifically, the partners intend to utilize advanced Artificial Intelligence technologies to enhance game development processes and improve player experiences globally.
Strategic Alignment with Saudi Vision 2030
This transaction directly supports the Kingdom’s broader economic diversification goals under Saudi Vision 2030. The National Gaming and Esports Strategy aims to contribute more than 50 billion SAR ($13.3 billion) to the local Economy & Business sector. By securing a major stake in one of the world’s largest interactive entertainment companies, the Kingdom continues to establish itself as a central hub for the global digital economy.
The local market has shown rapid growth, with customs data indicating that video game console imports exceeded 2.4 million units during 2024 and 2025. Currently, Saudi Arabia is home to more than 23.5 million active players, representing approximately 67 percent of the total population.
Local Impact and Gaming Sector
The acquisition builds upon previous international investments executed by Savvy Games Group, a wholly-owned entity of the Public Investment Fund. Savvy previously acquired Scopely, the developer behind the mobile game Monopoly GO!, which generated over $5 billion in revenue within two years. The group also holds strategic stakes in Sweden’s Embracer Group and Hero Esports to strengthen its development capabilities.
In addition to international transactions, Savvy focuses on local sector development through the Savvy Academy. The academy provides specialized training programs and academic partnerships to train national talent in game design. These initiatives complement the Kingdom’s hosting of major events, such as the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh, which attracted over 750 million views globally.
