EA Goes Private: $55B Buyout, Largest LBO [2026]

June 14, 2026 - 09:53

Electronic Arts is set to become a private company in what is being called the largest leveraged buyout in video game history. A consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, along with private equity firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has agreed to acquire the publisher for approximately $55 billion. The deal is expected to close in late 2026, pending regulatory approvals.

The buyout will be financed with roughly $20 billion in debt, a massive sum that raises questions about the company's future financial flexibility. Under the terms, EA shareholders will receive a significant premium over the stock's recent trading price. The move takes one of the world's biggest game publishers off the public market, shielding it from quarterly earnings pressure but also from public scrutiny.

For gamers, the immediate impact may be minimal. EA's major franchises like Madden, FIFA (now EA Sports FC), and Battlefield will continue development. However, the involvement of the Saudi PIF has drawn criticism due to the fund's ties to the Saudi government and its history of human rights concerns. Critics worry about potential influence over game content, especially in titles dealing with political or cultural themes.

Regulatory risk is also a factor. Antitrust authorities in the US and Europe may scrutinize the deal's debt load and foreign ownership of a major American entertainment company. If approved, EA will join a growing list of game companies moving private, following trends set by acquisitions in the broader tech and media sectors. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2026.