- - Will Ferrell dresses up in full NHL referee uniform for Kings game

Thomas Gamba-EllisJanuary 2, 2026 at 9:43 AM

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An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Will Ferrell looks on during a hockey game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Los Angeles Kings, Image 2 shows Will Ferrell watching the Tampa Bay Lightning vs Los Angeles Kings hockey game

Will Ferrell was ready to dish out some penalties during an NHL game on Thursday.

The famed actor was spotted in the stands at Crypto.com Arena decked out in full NHL referee gear midway through the Kings’ matchup against the Lightning.

The video board panned to Ferrell — who was wearing the officials’ signature black and white striped shirt and a black helmet — as he was calling penalties from outside the glass.

Will Ferrell looks on during the second period between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena on January 1, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. NHLI via Getty Images

After being shown on the big screen, the FanDuel Sports Network broadcast came down to Ferrell’s seats, and asked him what he was doing in a ref’s uniform.

“I’ve always been in support of the NHL referees,” Ferrell answered.

Will Ferrell is at the Kings game tonight in full referee gear making calls from behind the glass

pic.twitter.com/jfw2hVky33

— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 2, 2026

Ferrell then seemingly joked about the two referees on the ice, Brandon Schrader and Francis Charron, claiming that he helped teach them.

“In fact, I trained two of the guys out here — they are two of my prized students, Brandon and Francis. They are calling a heck of a game.”

Ferrell joked about the two referees, claiming that he helped teach them. NHLI via Getty Images

Ferrell has previously shown up to Kings games dressed in full costume. NHLI via Getty Images

Ferrell, who is known to be a diehard Kings fan and has season tickets, has been spotted in the stands wearing costumes before, as he was seen dressed as his character, Buddy, from the 2003 comedy movie “Elf” during a 2024 game against the Flyers.

During that game, Ferrell was spotted pouting in the stands with a cigarette in his mouth and a beer in his hand. He explained his choices behind wearing the outfit during an episode of Travis and Jason Kelce’s “New Heights” podcast in January 2025.

“Buddy the Elf got laid off, I think, from the North Pole,” Ferrell joked on the podcast then. “He’s having a pull from his beer, smoking a cig. That was just…I get these weird ideas every now and then.”

“We’re season ticket holders for the L.A. Kings. We have seats right on the glass,” Ferrell added. “I told my wife, ‘Over the break, it would be funny if I just got a Buddy the Elf costume and didn’t shave for a week, and I’m just sitting there with a candy cigarette and I’m just gonna sit there for a period and see how people react.’”

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Source: “AOL Sports”