A consortium that includes Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is expected to receive European Union approval for its proposed $55 billion acquisition of video game company Electronic Arts, according to people familiar with the matter. The review is being handled under the bloc's subsidy rules.
The expected decision would mark an important step for one of the biggest deals in the gaming industry. EU scrutiny in this case focuses on whether foreign-backed financial support could distort competition inside the region, an area regulators have been watching more closely in large cross-border transactions.
If cleared, the transaction would remove a major regulatory hurdle for the investor group as it seeks to complete the takeover of Electronic Arts. The case also highlights the growing role of sovereign wealth-backed investors in global technology and entertainment assets.
The reported approval would be another closely watched example of how Brussels applies its subsidy framework to major international mergers. For Saudi PIF and its partners, a favorable EU outcome would strengthen the path forward for the planned acquisition.
