EA expect their $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia and private equity firms to close next week, with "all regulatory approvals required" in place

EA anticipates the $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia and private equity firms to finalize within the coming week, according to recent announcements. Following the European Commission's approval, the leveraged buyout will see Saudi Arabia, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners lead by Jared Kushner's firm assume ownership of Electronic Arts and take it private.

As of July 30th, 2026, all necessary regulatory clearances have been secured, with the merger expected to close on or around August 4th, 2026, per EA's filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Completion hinges on satisfying any remaining closing conditions outlined in the merger agreement, though the deal appears imminent barring last-minute complications.

Under the new ownership, current CEO Andrew Wilson is anticipated to retain his position, yet the critical question remains: how this transaction will impact the global workforce driving EA's lucrative business. The United Videogame Workers-CWA union has voiced apprehension, asserting that similar private equity takeovers often diminish transparency and worker power.

Furthermore, the union has called for greater regulatory scrutiny to ensure the deal safeguards jobs, maintains creative autonomy, and ensures accountability to the workforce. Earlier this year, 46 US lawmakers echoed these concerns to the Federal Trade Commission. Developers from franchises like The Sims have pledged resistance to any directives from the new ownership regarding diversity in EA games, citing Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record, which includes arbitrary detention, execution of dissidents, abuse of migrant workers, and discrimination against women, as reported by Amnesty International and cited by the CIA.