• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Microsoft’s $69B Acquisition of Activision Blizzard Blocked in U.K.

  • The veto is a major setback for the tech giant, which is also facing pushback from the FTC
  • Microsoft is planning to appeal the UK’s decision.
Two Call of Duty cosplayers in front of an Activision sign
Shutterstock

The U.K.’s antitrust watchdog has vetoed the biggest gaming deal in history. 

Microsoft Corp.’s planned takeover of Activision Blizzard Inc. for $69 billion was blocked by the government’s Competition and Markets Authority on Wednesday, a major setback for the tech giant. 

Microsoft is planning to appeal the decision. Activision Blizzard shares were down 10% in pre-market trading.

Activision Blizzard, one of the world’s largest video game makers, has developed games such as “World of Warcraft,” “Call of Duty,” and “Overwatch.” The company recorded $2.33 billion in revenue in Q4 of 2022. Microsoft owns Xbox, as well as Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The U.K. government said Microsoft already controls about 60-70% of global cloud computing infrastructure, and that its attempted Activision Blizzard acquisition would lead “to reduced innovation and less choice for U.K. gamers over the years to come.”

The regulator argues Microsoft could make Activision’s games exclusive to its own platforms and then raise the cost of its Xbox Game Pass service, which has more than 25 million subscribers. 

In the U.S., the FTC sued to block Microsoft’s Activation takeover in December 2022, with a hearing scheduled for August. Microsoft announced its agreement to buy Activision Blizzard in January 2022 and originally aimed for a July 2023 target date to close the deal.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

More Dildo Throwing During WNBA Games Leads to Second Arrest

The 18-year-old threw a dildo that hit another fan and his young niece.

Smelling Salts Not Banned in the NFL, but Teams Can’t Hand Them..

Teams are banned from supplying smelling salts to their players.

March Madness Fields Will Stay Put at 68—at Least Until 2027

NCAA tournament expansion is still on the table for 2027.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.

Thunder Favored, but Bettors Backing Pacers Big in NBA Finals

The most bet-on exact series outcome is the Thunder winning in five.
Fanduel
March 4, 2025

FanDuel Retains Sports Betting Crown With $14B in 2024 Revenue

The FanDuel parent company posts big increases in revenue and net income.
May 8, 2025

FanDuel Misses Projections As Betting Favorites Dominate 

FanDuel is hit by customer-friendly betting outcomes during March Madness.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
February 20, 2025

Americans Bet $148 Billion on Sports in 2024, Up 23.6%

Both overall handle and revenue rose by more than 20% last year.
DraftKings app
February 14, 2025

Lawsuit Says DraftKings VIP Program ‘Preyed On’ Gambling Addicts

The company’s being sued for negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
August 20, 2024

Beloved ‘Backyard Sports’ Brand Says It Will Relaunch After Decade Hiatus

“Backyard Baseball” was a turn-of-the-century computer hit. 
DraftKings
August 2, 2024

DraftKings Announces Consumer Tax Starting Next Year

The company’s stock fell 5% Friday morning.