European regulators are reportedly moving closer to approving the massive $55 billion deal that would take Electronic Arts private, marking a major step forward for one of the biggest acquisitions in gaming industry history.
The proposed takeover is being led by an investor group that includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. If completed, the transaction would become the largest leveraged buyout ever recorded, reshaping the future of one of the world’s most influential video game publishers.
According to a recent report, the European Commission is expected to approve the deal under the European Union’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation after its preliminary review concludes on July 30. A separate review under standard EU merger rules is also reportedly expected to end with unconditional approval on July 22.
The acquisition was first announced in September 2025 and immediately drew major attention across the gaming and financial sectors. Electronic Arts is home to some of the biggest franchises in the industry, including EA Sports FC, Madden NFL, The Sims, Battlefield, Apex Legends, and Need for Speed. Taking the company private would give the new ownership group greater flexibility in long-term planning, investment strategy, and restructuring decisions away from public market pressure.
Despite the reported progress, the deal has not yet received official confirmation from European regulators. Electronic Arts and the European Commission have declined to comment, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has not publicly responded to the latest report.
For now, the situation remains a significant developing story rather than a finalized approval. Formal decisions from European authorities are still required before the acquisition can clear one of its most important regulatory hurdles.
If the deal receives the expected approvals, it would bring Electronic Arts one step closer to a historic shift in ownership and could have long-term implications for the global video game market, future publishing strategies, and the direction of several major gaming franchises.
