Saudi Arabia’s $55 Billion EA Takeover Set to Finalize Next Week
It looks like the gaming community can wave goodbye to any hopes of stopping Saudi Arabia’s massive acquisition of Electronic Arts. A recent filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission has confirmed that the deal has gotten the green light and is set to wrap up next week. Officially, the filing states that by July 30, 2026, all necessary regulatory approvals for the merger have been secured. EA is expecting the formal closure of this deal to coincide with the end of trading on August 4, 2026.
Honestly, it wasn’t a huge surprise that this takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) breezed through the approval process. Unlike Microsoft’s intense battle for Activision Blizzard, which faced a lot of scrutiny from the Federal Trade Commission, the PIF’s acquisition of EA is a straightforward ownership change rather than a merger of two gaming giants.
However, this transition isn’t without its risks. The deal, which amounts to a staggering $55 (approx. Rs 15,290) billion, will take EA private, placing it under the influence of its new owner—Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. This raises concerns, especially considering allegations surrounding his involvement in controversial issues, such as the tragic murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The implications of this takeover are already visible. In 2025, several popular content creators for Sims 4 exited EA’s creator network, voicing that the values held by the new ownership clashed with their own. One creator, Lilsimsie, even highlighted how the Saudi regime’s stance on women’s rights and LGBTQ+ issues was at odds with her personal beliefs. Former BioWare writer Trick Weekes echoed similar sentiments, predicting a future where certain themes—particularly those related to politics and diverse representation—might be sidelined.
On a business level, this deal poses significant challenges for EA. With $20 (approx. Rs 5,560) billion in debt as a result of this acquisition, the company will need to tighten its belts and focus on its most lucrative franchises. The games that are likely to thrive under this new ownership are the heavy hitters like Battlefield and EA FC, which Weekes has described as the “guns and football” of the gaming world.
It seems that the takeover was always going to glide through with minimal hurdles. Interestingly, one of the minority investors backing the acquisition is Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner, who is notably connected to former US President Donald Trump. Additionally, the current chair of the Federal Trade Commission, Andrew Ferguson, is known to be a vocal supporter of Trump, adding another layer to this complex web of influences.
As the gaming community watches this development unfold, it’s clear that the landscape is about to change significantly, and it raises questions about the future of gaming under such influential ownership.
Note: PKR figures are approximate, based on a rate of Rs 278.00 per USD. Exchange rates fluctuate — please check the latest dollar rate for exact pricing.