Ethan Crossfield 
If you’ve been watching EA’s ownership saga, this is the part where it may finally move from uncertainty to a decision. Reports say the European Commission is preparing to clear Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) purchase of EA, with the process expected to pass under EU review rules later in July—potentially removing a major regulatory hurdle.
What’s changing in the EA ownership picture
The key development is regulatory: the European Commission is reportedly set to formally clear Saudi Arabia’s attempted acquisition of EA. The review is expected to fall under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation, with the decision anticipated to be passed on July 22. The same reporting suggests the acquisition could then move forward and be completed on July 30.
For EA, this would end a long period of uncertainty. EA was officially described as being in the process of being purchased in September 2025, following an agreement to sell EA to a consortium that included Silver Lake, Affinity Partners, and Saudi Arabia’s PIF. The new timeline indicates that the EU’s review could be the final major step that has kept the deal from fully closing.
Who is affected and why it matters for EA’s games
EA is one of the most recognizable names in gaming, spanning a wide portfolio of studios and franchises. Its stable includes The Sims developer Maxis and the team behind Apex Legends, Respawn Entertainment. On the sports side, EA Sports remains a major force, producing annual releases tied to large leagues such as the NFL and NHL.
Ownership changes don’t automatically translate into immediate gameplay updates, but they can influence long-term strategy—especially when a deal results in a controlling stake. While the source material notes that early reporting suggested EA would retain creative control, it also indicates that the PIF would receive more than 90% of the company once the transaction is finalized.
EA’s leadership and location also appear designed to provide continuity. Andrew Wilson is set to remain as CEO after the acquisition, and EA’s headquarters are expected to remain in California.
What comes next—and how big this acquisition could be
Once the European Union clears the transaction, the purchase would be positioned as the second-largest acquisition in gaming history, behind Microsoft’s earlier acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The deal hasn’t been without controversy. The source points to political pushback, including calls from the US Democratic Party for the Federal Trade Commission to review the acquisition more closely. In the community, the process has also been contentious enough that EA’s headquarters were reportedly raided in May by protesters attempting to deliver a petition aimed at blocking the buyout.
With EU clearance potentially scheduled for July 22 and completion potentially following on July 30, the remaining uncertainty is largely about what happens after the paperwork closes—how ownership structure and decision-making translate into future business direction across EA’s studios and publishing operations.
What players should know
- The reported EU clearance would remove a major regulatory barrier to Saudi PIF taking control of EA.
- EA’s CEO (Andrew Wilson) is expected to stay in place, and the company headquarters are expected to remain in California.
- The PIF stake is reported to be more than 90%, even though early reports suggested EA could keep creative control.
Expert View
From an industry standpoint, EU approval would be the clearest signal that EA’s acquisition road is nearing completion—especially given the political and public friction described in the lead-up. For players, the practical impact will depend on how the new ownership structure affects budgets, studio autonomy, and long-term publishing plans. Until the deal fully closes, the safest expectation is continuity in leadership and location, with potential strategic shifts only becoming clearer afterward.
