Saudi PIF's $55 billion EA deal gets EU approval under subsidy rules

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July 31, 2026 6:37 AM EDT

Electronic Arts and PIF (Public Investment Fund) logos are seen in this illustration taken September 30, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By Foo Yun ‌Chee

BRUSSELS, July ​31 (Reuters) - ​Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and a group of investors have gained ‌EU approval for their $55 billion acquisition of ⁠video game developer Electronic Arts under the bloc's subsidy ‌rules, a European Commission ‌filing showed on Friday.

In a regulatory filing on Thursday, Electronic Arts said it had received ​all regulatory approvals as of July 30 and that it expects to close ⁠the deal on August 4.

The deal secured a green light under ​EU merger rules last week, but the review under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) ​was seen as the ‌bigger hurdle.

The FSR aims to prevent unfair non-EU subsidies granted to companies ⁠looking to acquire rivals in the 27-country bloc.

Reuters reported exclusively earlier this month that the deal ⁠would secure EU approval under the FSR.

The deal is a ​major push by PIF in its efforts to become a global hub for games and sports, betting on ‌the enduring value of blockbuster game franchises as the industry recovers ‌from a prolonged downturn.

It also underscores Saudi Arabia's ⁠diversification from oil ‌into infrastructure, tourism, ​sports and gaming and other sectors.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Alexander ‌Smith)


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