The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, subject to relevant regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The equity acquisition will be entirely financed with ANTA Sports’ internal cash resources.
Anta Sports has agreed to acquire a 29.06 per cent stake in Puma SE from Groupe Artémis for €1.5 billion (~$1.78 billion) in cash, becoming Puma’s largest shareholder.
Fully funded through internal resources, the deal is expected to close by end-2026 and supports Anta’s multi-brand global expansion strategy while preserving Puma’s independence and governance.
Ding Shizhong, Board Chairman of ANTA Sports, commented: “This acquisition makes ANTA Sports the largest shareholder of PUMA and marks a major step forward in our ‘single-focus, multi-brand, globalization’ strategy. PUMA is an iconic global brand with substantial heritage. Working with PUMA, we look forward to learning from each other and joining hands to fully unlock the brand’s full potential. This will further accelerate ANTA Sports’ globalization, and help drive the next chapter of growth for the global sports markets including China – creating lasting value for both companies’ consumers and shareholders worldwide.”
ANTA Sports has over 35 years of experience in the sporting goods industry. Building on its foundation and growth engine in the Chinese market, it has achieved an industry-leading position in the country. The Group has been expanding operations across key markets including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Africa, North America, and Europe. It has successfully empowered multiple international brands, accumulating extensive experience in multi-brand operations management and brand value revitalization, including its unique “Brand + Retail” business model with a proven track record.
PUMA is globally renowned for its rich heritage and has built deep brand equity and worldwide presence. It also brings powerful sports assets – particularly in football, running, training, basketball, and motorsport, and has a wide reach across key sports markets including Europe, Latin America, Africa, and India. Anta Sports’ portfolio brands and PUMA offer highly complementary strengths across product portfolio, category specialization and regional footprint.
Commenting on the strategic rationale of the transaction, Mr. Ding emphasized: “ANTA has always admired PUMA’s long-term brand value and potential. Such strong brand DNA and value heritage are rare to come by. We believe PUMA’s share price over the past few months does not fully reflect the long-term potential of the brand. We have confidence in its management team and strategic transformation. Moving forward, we hope to build strong trust, work together at arm’s length, and leverage our complementary strengths without comprising independence. We look forward to supporting the brand’s ongoing revival.”
ANTA Sports fully appreciates PUMA’s management culture and independent governance as a German-listed company. ANTA Sports intends to seek adequate representation on PUMA’s Supervisory Board. These representatives will work closely with the other Supervisory Board members from both the shareholders’ and employee representatives’ side, while preserving PUMA’s strong brand identity and heritage. The Group will carefully assess the possibility of further deepening the partnership between the two parties in the future. The Group currently has no plans to make a takeover offer for PUMA.
Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RM)
