EU approval of Saudi PIF EA deal

The European Commission has approved Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund-led bid to acquire Electronic Arts for about $55 billion, with major investors including Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The approval confirms the deal under EU merger rules, as it is not expected to significantly lessen competition in the markets where EA operates, while the Commission is also reviewing the transaction under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation for potential non-EU subsidies. Financing for the deal comprises roughly $36 billion in equity from the consortium and $20 billion in debt arranged by JPMorgan Chase, and EA is expected to be delisted from Nasdaq but remain headquartered in Redwood City, California under current leadership. The approval is framed in part by Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 initiative and its growing interest in gaming and esports, with EA’s popular franchises such as EA Sports FC continuing to attract players after the FIFA license transition. Reuters and other EU notices reiterate that the deal has secured antitrust clearance while facing ongoing scrutiny under foreign subsidy rules.