Saudi Arabia's PIF Leads Major Acquisition of Electronic Arts

A consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), in collaboration with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has finalized its acquisition of video game giant Electronic Arts (EA), bringing one of the world's largest gaming companies into private ownership. This move signifies another major step in the Kingdom's global gaming ambitions. The deal, initially announced in September 2025 and approved by shareholders in December, officially concluded on Tuesday. As part of the transaction, EA shareholders received $210 per share in cash, and the company's stock has since been delisted from the Nasdaq.

EA is renowned as one of the world's largest interactive entertainment companies, boasting globally recognized franchises such as EA SPORTS FC, Madden NFL, Battlefield, The Sims, Apex Legends, Need for Speed, Dragon Age, and Mass Effect. Andrew Wilson, EA Chairman and CEO, stated, "This moment recognizes the extraordinary people whose creativity, ambition and passion have made EA one of the world's leading interactive entertainment companies. We're entering this next chapter from a position of strength with partners who share our vision and ambition."

Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor and Head of International Investments at PIF, highlighted that the sovereign wealth fund's five years as a minority investor provided deep insight into EA's business and long-term potential. He added, "Entertainment and sports are key areas of strategic focus for PIF, and are among the fastest-growing and evolving sectors around the world. Together, the consortium is uniquely positioned to be a long-term partner to EA's management team in driving sustained growth and innovation." Silver Lake CEO Egon Durban confirmed plans for substantial investment in EA's future growth, including expanding the use of artificial intelligence to enhance game development and player experiences, while Affinity Partners CEO Jared Kushner emphasized the consortium's aim to help EA reach new audiences and inspire future creators.

This acquisition is integral to Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to establish itself as a global hub for gaming and esports. The gaming industry is among the fastest-growing globally, and Saudi Arabia views it as a crucial driver for economic diversification, investment, and job creation. Saudi customs data indicates that the Kingdom imported over 2.4 million video game consoles during 2024 and 2025, underscoring the rapid expansion of its domestic gaming market. The National Gaming and Esports Strategy targets a contribution of over SR50 billion to Saudi Arabia's GDP, aiming to position the Kingdom as a leading global destination for gaming and esports. With over 23.5 million gamers, representing approximately 67% of its population, Saudi Arabia is one of the region's largest gaming markets.

PIF-owned Savvy Games Group plays a pivotal role as one of the Kingdom's primary vehicles for investing in and developing the global gaming industry. Savvy has pursued an aggressive investment strategy, including major acquisitions such as mobile gaming developer Scopely, whose title Monopoly GO! generated $5 billion in revenue within two years, and investments in Embracer Group and Hero Esports. Savvy also contributes significantly to Saudi Arabia's esports ecosystem through industry partnerships, talent development, and the Savvy Academy, which offers specialized training. The group's influence extends to global esports events, with the 2025 Esports World Cup in Riyadh attracting 750 million views across more than 175 countries and featuring around 2,000 top professional players, highlighting Saudi Arabia's growing impact in competitive gaming.