Will Ferrell Is Ready to Skate as He Shows Up at Los Angeles Kings Game in Full NHL Referee Gear: 'I'm Very Nimble'
- - Will Ferrell Is Ready to Skate as He Shows Up at Los Angeles Kings Game in Full NHL Referee Gear: 'I'm Very Nimble'
Natasha DyeJanuary 3, 2026 at 2:32 AM
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Kelly Smiley/NHLI via Getty
Will Ferrell on Jan. 1, 2026 -
Will Ferrell was ready to get on the ice as an NHL referee at the Los Angeles Kings game on Jan. 1
The actor said that he's "very nimble" and "still ready to go" if one of the actual officials get injured during the game
Ferrell joked that the Kings "begged" him not to blow his whistle during game play "because that could cause issues"
Will Ferrell came prepared for the Los Angeles Kings game on New Year's Day.
Ferrell, 58, sported a full referee getup in the stands at Crypto.com Arena as the Kings hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday, Jan. 1.
The actor spoke to Kings' reporter Carrlyn Bathe during the game, where he joked around about meatloaf, his nimbleness and more. "I've always been in support of the NHL referees," Ferrell told Bathe, joking that he served as a trainer for the two referees calling the game.
"They're two my of prize students, Brandon and Frances. They're calling a heck of a game," Ferrell said, adding that he's giving the officials advice throughout the game. "I'm telling him, 'Relax, you're doing great,' " Ferrell joked of the referees.
Kelly Smiley/NHLI via Getty
Will Ferrell on Jan. 1, 2026
The referee uniform Ferrell was wearing was "all mine," the Elf star said. "I've got it ready to go at a moment's notice, because you never know, if one of these guys go down, I may have to put on the skates and get out there."
Ferrell admitted it's been 15 years since he last put ice skates on, but joked, "I'm very nimble, I'm still ready to go."
There was one part of Ferrell's costume that apparently made the Kings organization nervous, he revealed. The actor said the "fine folks at" the Kings "begged" him not to blow his whistle during the game "because that could cause issues," but admitted he "gave it a shot" in between periods. "It works very well," he said.
And when asked how he prepared in case his referee skills are called upon, Ferrell joked that he ate "as much meatloaf as I can get my hands on, two or three pounds of meatloaf."
“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
"You need a strong base, especially during the holidays."
Concluding the segment, Ferrell shared a thought about hockey referees that "just dawned on" him during the interview. "These guys are on skates, skating backwards and breaking up fights, but somehow they still have their teeth."
The Kings lost the game 5-3 to Tampa Bay. Next, the Kings will host the Minnesota Wild in Los Angeles on Jan. 3.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
