Global Payments to Acquire Worldpay in $24.2 Billion Deal

Global Payments (NYSE: GPN) has announced an agreement to acquire Worldpay from private equity firm GTCR and fintech group FIS for a total of $24.25 billion.

The deal, a mix of cash and stock, is expected to close in the first half of 2026. Under the terms of the transaction, Global Payments will purchase 55% of Worldpay from GTCR, and the remaining 45% from FIS.

This acquisition marks a significant shift for Global Payments, which had previously stated its intention to step back from large mergers and acquisitions. However, the move strengthens its position as a leading global provider of commerce solutions, enhancing its capabilities across ecommerce and enterprise markets while expanding its software and platform offerings. The deal also aligns with Global Payments’ strategy to simplify its business model, focusing entirely on merchant solutions.

The acquisition is expected to create a company with a more diversified market position, processing $3.7 trillion in payment volume annually and serving over 6 million customers across more than 175 countries. The combined entity will have enhanced capabilities to support businesses of all sizes—from small and medium-sized merchants to large enterprises—by providing integrated payment solutions.

The deal will also benefit from significant synergies, with projected savings of $600 million annually through cost efficiencies and additional revenue synergies of at least $200 million. Global Payments anticipates that the merger will be accretive to earnings per share in the first year post-close.

In a related move, Global Payments will divest its issuer-solutions business to FIS for $13.5 billion, further streamlining its operations.

While the acquisition represents a quick return for GTCR, which purchased Worldpay less than two years ago, it also reflects FIS’s ongoing strategy to shift its focus in the payments industry. As part of the deal, FIS will also assume control of Worldpay’s issuer solutions business.

Global Payments expects to maintain its investment-grade credit rating and reduce leverage to 3.0x within 18 to 24 months following the deal’s closure. The company has already secured financing and will issue $7.7 billion in debt to facilitate the transaction.

Axios, the Financial Times, and Business Wire contributed to this report.