MBS arrives in Paris as Saudi gaming ambitions take center stage

Electronic Arts is now owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund after a consortium completed a $55 billion takeover of the gaming giant earlier this month, the largest leveraged buyout in history. The deal, which closed on August 4, places some of the world's best-known video game franchises — including Madden, EA FC, and The Sims — under Saudi-led ownership as the kingdom pushes to reshape the global gaming industry.engadget+2

The Deal

The acquisition, first announced in September 2025, was led by PIF alongside private equity firm Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, the investment firm run by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of President Donald Trump. EA shareholders received $210 per share in cash, representing a 25 percent premium to the company's unaffected share price. PIF now holds more than 93 percent of the company, which is once again privately held.gamesindustry+3

The buyers used $20 billion in debt financing to complete the transaction, saddling EA with obligations it must repay over time. CEO Andrew Wilson remains at the helm, and the company is still headquartered in Redwood City, California. The European Commission cleared the deal in late July, determining it posed no competitive concerns.engadget+2

Esports World Cup and Saudi Strategy

The acquisition coincides with the closing ceremony of the 2026 Esports World Cup in Paris on Sunday, where Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived for the event. The tournament, organized and financed by Saudi Arabia's PIF-backed Esports Foundation, featured 25 events across 24 esports titles and carried a $75 million prize pool.wikipedia+3

The event was moved from its traditional home in Riyadh to Paris on short notice, with the BBC reporting the relocation occurred just eight weeks before the tournament began in early July. French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting the crown prince for the closing ceremony.france24+1

A $38 Billion Gaming Push

The EA takeover is the crown jewel of a broader Saudi campaign. The kingdom has invested $38 billion into gaming as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 economic diversification program. According to France 24, Saudi Arabia has positioned itself as a dominant force in competitive gaming by combining direct ownership of major publishers with control of flagship international events.france24+1

The convergence of the EA deal's completion and the Esports World Cup finale underscores how aggressively Saudi Arabia is using its sovereign wealth to build influence across the global entertainment industry.