The Ref is In: Will Ferrell NHL referee 2026 Stunt Lights Up LA Kings Game

The beer-guzzling elf is out, and the law of the ice is in. On January 1, 2026, Hollywood legend Will Ferrell kicked off the new year by trading his pointed hat for vertical stripes, appearing at a LA Kings game in full NHL referee gear.

Will Ferrell NHL referee 2026: A New Holiday Tradition

Ferrell, a longtime LA Kings fan, was spotted taking his self-appointed role very seriously during the matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He was seen tapping on the glass and shouting encouragement to the actual officiating crew. "I've always been in support of the NHL referees. In fact, I trained two of the guys out here," Ferrell joked in an interview with reporter Carrlyn Bathe. He even claimed he's ready to lace up his skates at a "moment's notice" if a real official goes down.

While his commitment was undeniable, the LA Kings staff reportedly begged him not to use his whistle during play to avoid confusion. Ferrell noted he gave it a test blow between periods and confirmed it "works very well."

From Haggard Elf to Official

This isn't Ferrell's first foray into rink-side comedy. Exactly one year ago, he went viral for dressing as a disheveled version of his iconic character Buddy the Elf. That 2025 appearance featured him chugging beer and smoking candy cigarettes. Ferrell later explained on the New Heights podcast that he just likes to "stir it up" with weird ideas every now and then.