As 2026 kicks off, Global Payments has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Worldpay from FIS, a move that reshapes its footprint in global commerce solutions.
This transaction transforms Global Payments into a “pure-play” commerce solutions provider, serving a broad spectrum of clients from small businesses to global enterprises. The combined company now supports more than 6 million merchant locations, processing approximately 94 billion transactions and US $3.7 trillion in volume annually across more than 175 countries.
As the UK’s largest independent payment broker, acceptcards works closely with both Global Payments and Worldpay. This acquisition (one of the most significant in the payments industry) will be closely watched by us for its potential impact on the UK market, including pricing dynamics, product innovation, and merchant choice.
What Does This Change?
Global Payments’ press release outlines several strategic priorities for the combined organisation:
- Expanded global reach and complementary distribution channels, broadening how payment services are delivered.
- Annual investments of over US $1 billion in innovation across platforms and solutions.
- A go-to-market structure focused on Enterprise, SMB, and Integrated & Platforms segments to meet diverse client needs.
Together, these elements reflect a strategy to drive long-term growth and capability enhancement but they also raise important questions for UK merchants about competition, service options, and value delivery.
What UK Merchants Should Consider Now
While nothing changes overnight for existing contracts or systems, this acquisition signals a shift in the payments landscape. For UK businesses and consumers, it’s a timely moment to:
- Review current payment arrangements and dependence on single suppliers.
- Check contract terms, fees, and exit options as service models evolve.
- Explore tailored solutions that align with how customers prefer to pay today (online, in-store, or via integrated platforms)
This is especially relevant given how rapidly payments technology and merchant expectations are evolving in the UK.
Richard Bradley, Founder and CEO, commented, “Here at acceptcards, we are independent of any single provider, meaning our guidance isn’t influenced by corporate ownership structures like this. Our sole focus is just as it was when we set up 21 years ago. Helping UK merchants make decisions that deliver clarity, choice, and commercial value. As Global Payments and Worldpay begin this next chapter, we’ll be watching closely to understand how these changes unfold in practice and what they may ultimately mean for our partners and consumers across the UK”.
