Electronic Arts (EA) appears to be on the verge of one of the biggest ownership changes in gaming history. According to reports, the European Commission is expected to approve Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) acquisition of the publisher later this week, clearing one of the final hurdles before the deal closes.
EU Approval Expected This Week
The European Commission is reportedly preparing to approve the acquisition under the European Union’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation on July 22. If approved, the transaction is expected to officially close on July 30, ending nearly a year of negotiations and regulatory reviews.
The approval would remove one of the last major obstacles standing between the consortium and full ownership of EA.
Saudi PIF to Become Majority Owner
The acquisition was announced as a joint deal involving Silver Lake, Affinity Partners, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Once finalized, the PIF is expected to control more than 90% of Electronic Arts, making Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund the dominant shareholder.
The transaction would also become the second-largest acquisition in gaming history, trailing only Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard.
What Happens to EA?
Electronic Arts owns some of the gaming industry’s biggest franchises and development studios, including:
- EA Sports FC
- Madden NFL
- Battlefield
- The Sims
- Apex Legends
The company also oversees studios such as Respawn Entertainment, Maxis, DICE, BioWare, and Criterion Games.
EA has already stated that CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in charge, while the company’s headquarters will continue operating from California.
Early announcements surrounding the acquisition also claimed EA would maintain creative control over its studios and franchises, although it remains unclear how much influence the new ownership will have over future business decisions.
Political Criticism and Public Concerns
The proposed acquisition has attracted criticism throughout the approval process.
Several US Democratic lawmakers previously urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate the transaction, raising concerns over foreign ownership and national interests.
The deal also sparked protests from some members of the gaming community, with activists attempting to deliver a petition to EA’s headquarters opposing the acquisition.
Despite those objections, regulators now appear ready to allow the purchase to move forward.
Long-Term Impact Still Unknown
While the expected EU approval would effectively complete the acquisition process, many questions remain unanswered.
It is still unclear whether the new ownership will alter EA’s long-term publishing strategy, studio independence, investment priorities, or live-service roadmap. For now, EA says day-to-day operations and leadership will remain unchanged, but players and developers will likely be watching closely once the acquisition officially closes.
