EA cuts more jobs as Saudi-backed $55 billion acquisition nears

Electronic Arts (EA) has reportedly initiated another round of layoffs, marking its third wave of workforce reductions in 2026, as the gaming giant moves closer to a proposed $55 billion acquisition led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF).

According to reports, employees across recruitment, customer support, trust and safety, and IT functions have been affected. While EA has not disclosed the number of employees impacted, social media posts from former staff members across multiple regions appear to confirm the latest cuts.

The layoffs reportedly extend beyond the United States, affecting remote workers as well as employees at EA's Hyderabad office in India. Several of those impacted had spent years with the company, underscoring the breadth of the workforce reduction.

Sources indicate that EA's customer support division, known internally as Fan Care, has been among the hardest hit. In an internal communication cited by media reports, leadership described the restructuring as part of an "operational evolution" aimed at adapting to changing player behaviors and business requirements. The message referenced role changes, the creation of new positions, and the redistribution of work across teams, locations, and external service partners.

The cuts also reportedly affected EA's Trust and Safety teams, which are responsible for moderating player behavior and enforcing community standards across the publisher's online gaming ecosystem. Recruitment and IT functions were also impacted.

The latest workforce reductions come despite earlier assurances from company leadership that no immediate large-scale restructuring was planned. The timing has drawn attention as EA approaches a major ownership transition.

In September 2025, EA announced an agreement to be acquired and taken private through a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The deal, valued at approximately $55 billion, remains subject to regulatory approval, with a key European antitrust decision expected in July.

Industry observers note that cost-cutting measures are often implemented ahead of large leveraged buyouts as companies seek to streamline operations and improve financial efficiency before ownership changes take effect.

The layoffs also arrive amid broader strategic shifts within EA. The company has increasingly emphasized artificial intelligence as a core component of its future growth strategy. CEO Andrew Wilson previously described AI as being at the center of EA's business, revealing that more than 100 AI-related initiatives were underway across the organization.

The publisher has continued to deliver strong financial results despite ongoing workforce reductions. EA recently reported annual net revenue of $7.53 billion, while major franchises such as Battlefield have delivered strong commercial performance. 

Nevertheless, the company has continued to consolidate resources around its largest gaming properties and operational priorities.