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Electronic Arts (EA) gains key U.S. antitrust clearance for investor-led takeover

Filing Impact
(Very High)
Filing Sentiment
(Neutral)
Form Type
8-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Electronic Arts Inc. reports that the U.S. antitrust waiting period for its planned sale to an investor consortium has expired without action from regulators. The waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act ended at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 9, 2026, satisfying one of the conditions required to close the merger.

The merger would combine Electronic Arts with Oak-Eagle MergerCo, Inc., leaving Electronic Arts as a wholly owned subsidiary of Oak-Eagle AcquireCo, Inc., entities formed by a consortium including the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake–affiliated funds, and Affinity. The transaction still depends on other required regulatory clearances and closing conditions and is expected to close during the first quarter of Electronic Arts’ fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, corresponding to April 1, 2026 through June 30, 2026.

Positive

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Negative

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Insights

U.S. antitrust waiting period has expired, reducing one key regulatory risk for Electronic Arts’ pending sale to a consortium.

The company confirms that the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust waiting period for its merger with the Oak-Eagle acquisition entities expired on February 9, 2026. Under U.S. merger-control rules, expiration without action generally means this specific antitrust review step has concluded, satisfying an important closing condition.

The buyer group is an investor consortium that includes the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake–affiliated funds, and Affinity. The structure keeps Electronic Arts operating as a wholly owned subsidiary of the new parent. This preserves the corporate entity while changing ultimate ownership, which can matter for contracts and operations.

The transaction is still subject to other regulatory clearances and closing conditions, and the company states it expects closing in the first quarter of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2027, corresponding to April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026. Actual completion timing will depend on remaining approvals and satisfaction of conditions described in the merger agreement and related risk disclosures.


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 


FORM 8-K
 

 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
 
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  February 10, 2026 (February 9, 2026)
 
ELECTRONIC ARTS INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 


Delaware
0-17948
94-2838567
 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)  (Commission File Number)  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

209 Redwood Shores Parkway,
Redwood City, California
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
 
94065-1175
(Zip Code)
 
(650) 628-1500
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
 


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
 


Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 


Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 


Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
 
Title of Each Class
 
Trading Symbol(s)
 
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
 
 
Common Stock, $0.01 par value
 
EA
 
NASDAQ Global Select Market
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company       
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     
 


Item 8.01
Other Events.
 
As previously disclosed, on September 28, 2025, Electronic Arts Inc. (“Electronic Arts” or the “Company”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) by and among the Company, Oak-Eagle AcquireCo, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Parent”), and Oak-Eagle MergerCo, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (“Merger Sub”) pursuant to and subject to the terms and conditions of which Merger Sub will merge with and into the Company (the “Merger”), with the Company surviving the Merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent.  Parent and Merger Sub are entities formed by an investor consortium comprised of the Public Investment Fund (“PIF”), and funds affiliated with Silver Lake Technology Management, L.L.C. (“Silver Lake”) and A Fin Management LLC (“Affinity,” and, together with PIF and Silver Lake, the “Consortium”).
 
The waiting period with respect to the Merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”), expired at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 9, 2026. The expiration of the HSR Act waiting period satisfies certain conditions to the closing of the Merger. The Merger remains subject to other closing conditions, including receipt of other required regulatory clearances. The Merger is expected to close during the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal year ending March 31, 2027 (which corresponds to April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026).
 
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
 
Some statements set forth in this communication contain forward-looking statements that are subject to change. Statements including words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “plan,” “predict,” “seek,” “goal,” “will,” “may,” “likely,” “should,” “could” (and the negative of any of these terms), “future” and similar expressions also identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the benefits of and timeline for closing the proposed transaction. These forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this communication, are not guarantees of future performance and reflect management’s current expectations. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors which could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from its expectations include the following: the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required governmental and regulatory approvals of the proposed transaction with the Consortium that could delay the consummation of the proposed transaction or cause the parties to abandon the proposed transaction; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement entered into in connection with the proposed transaction; the risk that the parties to the proposed transaction may not be able to satisfy the conditions to the proposed transaction in a timely manner or at all; risks related to disruption of the Company’s business resulting from the proposed transaction, including disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; risks relating to certain restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction that may impact the ability of the Company to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the Company’s common stock, including if the proposed transaction is not consummated; the risk of any unexpected costs or expenses resulting from the proposed transaction; the risk of any litigation relating to the proposed transaction; the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of the Company to retain and hire key personnel and to maintain relationships with customers, vendors, partners, employees, stockholders and other business relationships and on its operating results and business generally; the risks and uncertainties that are described in the proxy statement that the Company has filed with the Securities Exchange Commission in connection with the proposed transaction; and other factors described in Part II, Item 1A of Electronic Arts’ latest Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the heading “Risk Factors”, as well as in other documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025.
 
These filings are available on the investor relations section of the Company’s website at https://ir.ea.com or on the SEC’s website at https://www.sec.gov. The forward-looking statements made in this communication are current only as of the date hereof. Electronic Arts assumes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, except as required by law.
 
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SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 

  ELECTRONIC ARTS INC. 
     
Dated:  February 10, 2026
By:
/s/ Jacob J. Schatz

   
Jacob J. Schatz
   
Executive Vice President, Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer


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FAQ

What did Electronic Arts (EA) announce in this 8-K filing?

Electronic Arts announced that the antitrust waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act for its planned merger with an investor consortium expired on February 9, 2026, satisfying one of the regulatory conditions needed before the transaction can close.

Who is acquiring Electronic Arts (EA) in the proposed merger?

Electronic Arts is party to a planned merger with Oak-Eagle MergerCo, Inc., controlled by Oak-Eagle AcquireCo, Inc. These entities were formed by an investor consortium including the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake–affiliated funds, and A Fin Management LLC, known as Affinity.

What does the expiration of the HSR Act waiting period mean for EA?

The expiration of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act waiting period at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 9, 2026, means U.S. antitrust review under that statute has concluded, satisfying a specified condition toward closing the merger with the investor consortium.

When does Electronic Arts expect its merger to close?

Electronic Arts states that the merger is expected to close during the first quarter of its fiscal year ending March 31, 2027. That fiscal quarter corresponds to the period from April 1, 2026 to June 30, 2026, assuming all remaining conditions are satisfied.

Will Electronic Arts continue to exist after the merger closes?

Yes. Under the merger structure, Oak-Eagle MergerCo, Inc. will merge into Electronic Arts, and Electronic Arts will survive as the corporation. After closing, it will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Oak-Eagle AcquireCo, Inc., the new parent company.

What risks and uncertainties around EA’s merger does the company highlight?

Electronic Arts cites risks such as potential delays or conditions from remaining regulatory approvals, possible termination of the merger agreement, business disruption, litigation, unexpected transaction costs, and challenges retaining personnel or relationships if the transaction is delayed or not completed.

Where can investors find more detailed risk factors about EA’s proposed transaction?

Investors can review detailed risk factors in Electronic Arts’ proxy statement for the proposed transaction and in its SEC filings, including the latest Form 10-Q and Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025, available on its investor relations site and the SEC’s website.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents
Electronic Arts Inc

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50.27B
249.69M
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3.39%
Electronic Gaming & Multimedia
Services-prepackaged Software
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United States
REDWOOD CITY