Electronic Arts Shareholders Greenlight $55 Billion Sale to Saudi-Backed Fund as Deal Heads to Regulators

The future of Electronic Arts just took a massive step in a new direction. Shareholders have officially approved a $55 billion buyout that will take the longtime video game publisher private, setting off what could be one of the most closely watched regulatory reviews the industry has seen in years.

The vote passed on Monday and clears a major internal hurdle for the 43-year-old company. If regulators sign off, the transaction is expected to close by early 2027. Once finalized, EA will exit the public market nearly four decades after its initial public offering, fundamentally changing how the company operates and answers to investors.

Under the terms of the deal, shareholders will receive $210 per share. Control of the company will largely fall to Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, which will hold 93.4% ownership. California-based private equity firm Silver Lake will take a 5.5% stake, while Affinity Partners, founded by Jared Kushner, will hold the remaining 1.1%.

While the shareholder approval is a major milestone, the deal isn’t finished yet. It now moves into a global regulatory review process, similar to what Microsoft faced during its acquisition of Activision Blizzard King.

Some analysts believe the current U.S. political climate could lead to a faster review than previous Federal Trade Commission showdowns, but that outcome isn’t guaranteed.

The acquisition has already drawn attention from U.S. lawmakers. Senators have raised concerns over national security and foreign influence tied to the privatization of a major American entertainment and technology company.

In a letter sent to the Secretary of the Treasury, lawmakers called for “searching scrutiny” to make sure any risks tied to foreign ownership are fully addressed before approval.

For EA employees and gamers, the news brings a mix of opportunity and uncertainty. The buyout delivers a huge payout to shareholders, but it also leaves the company carrying roughly $20 billion in debt.

That level of financial pressure has sparked questions about EA’s credit outlook and whether cost-cutting measures could follow. Industry watchers worry that restructuring, staffing changes, or shifts in development priorities could be on the table as the company works to manage that burden.

Gamers are also watching closely to see how this ownership change could affect EA’s games. The Public Investment Fund’s ties to the Saudi state have prompted concerns around human rights and how those issues might influence company culture or creative decisions.

On top of that, the need to service acquisition debt could shape how future titles are monetized, supported, or updated over time.

For now, EA’s leadership and fan base are in a waiting game. Shareholders want it, but regulators hold the final say.