Electronic Arts blir privatisert i historisk oppkjøp på 55 milliarder dollar

Electronic Arts, the publisher behind EA Sports FC, The Sims, and numerous other major franchises, has officially announced plans to go private in one of the largest buyouts in gaming history.

The American video game giant has entered into a definitive acquisition agreement with an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The deal, valued at $55 billion in an all-cash transaction, represents a landmark moment for both EA and the industry as a whole.

Deal Details

Under the terms of the agreement, EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash, a 25% premium compared to the company’s unaffected share price. Upon completion, this will mark the largest all-cash sponsor-led take-private deal in history, according to EA’s announcement.

Once finalized, EA’s stock will no longer be publicly traded. The company will remain headquartered in Redwood City, California, with Andrew Wilson continuing to serve as CEO. The transaction is expected to close in Q1 FY27, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals.

EA’s Strong Financial Performance Leading Into the Deal

This buyout follows a period of robust performance for Electronic Arts. In Q1 FY26, EA reported $1.671 billion in net revenue and $1.298 billion in net bookings. Its stock price reached an all-time high of $181.57, with a 17.8% one-year return, closing at $168.32 on September 25, 2025.

While EA’s console and PC franchises have performed well, its mobile portfolio has seen mixed results. Titles like FC Mobile continue to grow, but several games — including MLB Tap Sports Baseball and F1 Mobile Racing — have been shut down since last year.

What This Means for Players

The acquisition raises questions about EA’s future direction and potential for new projects. Fans have expressed hope for renewed investment in underserved areas, such as mobile and live-service offerings. Notably, EA recently posted a job listing for a Director of Performance Media for Battlefield, hinting at a possible revival of Battlefield Mobile.

If successful, this buyout could give EA the flexibility to take bigger creative risks and expand its portfolio without the immediate pressures of quarterly market expectations.

This marks a turning point for one of gaming’s most influential publishers. Whether the move leads to bolder projects, stronger live-service offerings, or the revival of dormant franchises remains to be seen — but players and investors alike will be watching closely as EA enters this new chapter.