Will Ferrell, NHL referee? Actor dresses up in full gear at Kings game and makes calls in stands
The actor and longtime Kings fan wore full referee attire and was "ready to go at a moment’s notice" in case he was needed on the ice.
There were the usual two referees assigned to the Tampa Bay Lightning-Los Angeles Kings game on New Year’s Day, but a “third” had the stripes on to make his own calls.
Will Ferrell brought in 2026 by wearing full referee attire — though with a borrowed black Kings helmet — and drew attention by following the action and mimicking actual penalty calls or making up his own from his usual seat Thursday at Crypto.com Arena.
The comedic actor is a longtime Kings fan and has, in the past, been in full face paint during playoff games or even worn his famous lime green “Elf” costume. But on this day, he was in support of Francis Charron and Brandon Schrader and was ready to help if they needed assistance.
“I’ve always been in support of the NHL referees,” Ferrell said during a first intermission interview with reporter Carrlyn Bathe on the Kings’ FanDuel telecast. “In fact, I trained two of the guys out here. They’re two of my prize students, Brandon and Francis. They’re calling a heck of a game. Heck of a game.”
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
Like a coach in the stands with a pupil during a tennis tournament, Ferrell said he was making a connection with Charron during the opening period. “I’m telling him, like, ‘Relax. It’s OK. You’re doing great. You’re doing great,” he said.
While he acknowledged that the last time he put skates on was 15 years ago, Ferrell had his uniform and was ready for duty. “I’ve got it all ready to go at a moment’s notice,” he said. “Because you never know if one of these guys go down, I may have to put on the skates and get out there.
“I’m very nimble. I’m still ready to go.”
“You never know if one of these guys goes down, I may have to put on the skates and get out there.”
Will Ferrell says he’s ready to sub in as a referee at any moment tonight 😭 pic.twitter.com/rbYf4vf9cw
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) January 2, 2026
The Kings did have a proviso for Ferrell. He couldn’t blow his whistle while game action was underway, as “that could cause issues.” But he did cut loose once the period was over.
It was obviously all in good fun, though Ferrell couldn’t have enjoyed the Lightning’s late three-goal burst in the final 3:19 of regulation for a come-from-behind 5-3 road victory. But the actor and wannabe official is clearly at home with his favorite club.
“I’m waiting to be at a game where Copper is going to play, where Pheonix is going to play because he always comes over and says, ‘Hi,’” he said, referring to goalie Pheonix Copley, who has played between Los Angeles and the Kings’ AHL club. “But (Darcy) Kuemper, he’s game face. He doesn’t really give me much. He looks right past me. It doesn’t hurt my feelings. I get it.”