Electronic Arts’ buyout is complete: EA announced that its acquisition by a consortium of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake and Affinity Partners closed on August 4, 2026. EA stockholders are to receive $210 in cash per share, and EA said its common stock had ceased trading and would be delisted from Nasdaq. The roughly $55 billion figure refers to the transaction’s announced enterprise value, not the cash payment per share.
Who bought Electronic Arts?
EA was acquired by a three-member investor consortium: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. Affinity Partners is a Miami-based investment firm founded in 2021 by Jared Kushner, who serves as its CEO. Kushner is one participant through his firm—not the sole buyer or an individual purchaser of EA. PIF, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, already held a 9.9% stake and agreed to roll that stake into the transaction.
EA announced the definitive agreement on September 29, 2025, and announced the closing on August 4, 2026. The completed deal announcement confirms the transaction’s completion and stockholder consideration.
What does the $55 billion EA buyout figure mean?
The approximately $55 billion figure was the enterprise value EA cited when it announced the agreement in September 2025. It is distinct from the $210 cash consideration for each EA share. EA’s SEC-filed transaction announcement said $210 represented a 25% premium to the company’s unaffected closing price of $168.32 on September 25, 2025, the last fully unaffected trading day. EA also said that price exceeded its then-unaffected all-time closing high of $179.01, set on August 14, 2025. Those comparisons describe the announcement-date baseline, not current market prices.
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#1 Best Overall
- Standard Edition for PlayStation 5 (disc) includes the full EA SPORTS College Football 27 game.
- DYNASTY BLUEPRINT – Control your program’s future with recruiting, NIL, staff, facilities, and Athletic Director Expectations..
- ROAD TO GLORY – Build your player, explore new positions, earn NIL deals, chase the Heisman, and raise your Legacy Score.
- MASCOT MASHUP – Play as your favorite mascot, collect 120+ icons, and compete in wild 11-on-11 matchups full of school spirit.
How was the acquisition financed?
In the September 2025 announcement, EA disclosed approximately $36 billion in equity investment, including PIF’s rollover, alongside $20 billion in debt financing committed by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Of that debt, $18 billion was expected to be funded at closing. EA said each investor intended to fund its equity component entirely from capital under its control. These are announced transaction financing terms; on their own, they do not establish what the debt will mean for EA’s future staffing, games or other operations.
Why did the buyout draw scrutiny?
On October 14, 2025, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Elizabeth Warren wrote to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, then chair of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), urging scrutiny of possible foreign-influence and national-security issues. Their letter raised concerns about potential access to users’ personal information, EA’s AI development, and influence over product design and direction. These were lawmakers’ concerns and requests for review—not evidence that data was accessed or misused, or a final government finding. The senators’ letter to the Treasury secretary records the questions they raised.
Rank #2
- EA SPORTS FC 26 is a football game with the best football players from the biggest clubs and competitions from all over the world games
- EA SPORTS FC 26 Standard Edition (Disc) for PS4 includes the entire game
- Play together with friends on different platforms. For EA SPORTS FC 26, cross-play* is available across PC, PlayStation and Xbox, grouping by platform generation. *Cross-play enabled in certain modes on same generation platforms
- Reworked game, driven by community feedback. The authentic game preset delivers the most faithful football experience ever in the career, while the pre-set competition game is tailored for Football Ultimate Team and Clubs games
- Experience Manager Career like never before with the all-new Manager Live Challenges. Earn rewards in the new season by taking on a variety of real-life scenarios and alternative stories - everything from a few minutes to several seasons
There was also debate about the business consequences of taking EA private. The Associated Press reported that some analysts saw potential flexibility for the company, while others pointed to the deal’s debt financing as a possible source of cost-cutting pressure. Those are competing assessments, not confirmed outcomes. The sources cited here do not establish how the change in ownership will affect EA’s games, employees, data practices or consumer prices.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What changes for EA stockholders?
EA said stockholders would receive $210 in cash for each share and that EA common stock had ceased trading and would be delisted from Nasdaq after the closing. The company’s closing announcement is the primary source for those closing details. The announcement does not establish individual investors’ tax consequences, which depend on their circumstances.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- EA SPORTS FC 26 is a football video game featuring the best footballers from the biggest clubs and competitions from across The World’s Game
- EA SPORTS FC 26 Standard Edition (disc) for Xbox One and Xbox Series X contains the full game
- Play together with friends on different platforms. For EA SPORTS FC 26, cross-play* is available across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, grouping by platform generation.*Cross-play enabled in certain modes on same-generation platforms
- Overhauled gameplay, powered by community feedback. The Authentic Gameplay preset delivers the most true-to-football experience ever in Career, while the Competitive Gameplay preset is tailor-made for play in Football Ultimate Team and Clubs
- Experience Manager Career like never before with all-new Manager Live Challenges. Earn rewards throughout the new season by taking on a variety of real-world scenarios and alternative storylines – ranging from a few minutes to multiple seasons
Rank #4
- Standard Edition for PlayStation 5 (disc) includes the full EA SPORTS Madden NFL 27 game. Experience authentic NFL gameplay with Franchise mode, Superstar Career, and Ultimate Team.
- DYNAMIC FRANCHISE MODE – Persona Engine brings each NFL athlete to life with unique personalities, creating a reactive and evolving league shaped by your decisions.
- AUTHENTIC NFL GAMEPLAY – Realistic WR vs DB battles, improved coverage, and new short-yardage mechanics deliver true on-field physicality and control.
- BUILD YOUR LEGACY – Progress through the Superstar G.O.A.T. Career Journey and customize your roster with Ultimate Team Captains.
Rank #3
- Standard Edition for Xbox Series X (disc) includes the full EA SPORTS College Football 27 game. Not compatible with Xbox One.
- DYNASTY BLUEPRINT – Control your program’s future with recruiting, NIL, staff, facilities, and Athletic Director Expectations..
- ROAD TO GLORY – Build your player, explore new positions, earn NIL deals, chase the Heisman, and raise your Legacy Score.
- MASCOT MASHUP – Play as your favorite mascot, collect 120+ icons, and compete in wild 11-on-11 matchups full of school spirit.
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