There were the usual two referees assigned to the Tampa Bay Lightning-Los Angeles Kings game on New Year\u2019s Day, but a \u201cthird\u201d had the stripes on to make his own calls.<\/p>\n
Will Ferrell brought in 2026 by wearing full referee attire \u2014 though with a borrowed black Kings helmet \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cElf\u201d costume. But on this day, he was in support of Francis Charron and Brandon Schrader and was ready to help if they needed assistance.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always been in support of the NHL referees,\u201d Ferrell said during a first intermission interview with reporter Carrlyn Bathe on the Kings\u2019 FanDuel telecast. \u201cIn fact, I trained two of the guys out here. They\u2019re two of my prize students, Brandon and Francis. They\u2019re calling a heck of a game. Heck of a game.\u201d<\/p>\n
Will Ferrell is at the Kings game tonight in full referee gear making calls from behind the glass \ud83d\ude2d\ud83e\udd23 pic.twitter.com\/jfw2hVky33<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) January 2, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n 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. \u201cI\u2019m telling him, like, \u2018Relax. It\u2019s OK. You\u2019re doing great. You\u2019re doing great,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n While he acknowledged that the last time he put skates on was 15 years ago, Ferrell had his uniform and was ready for duty. \u201cI\u2019ve got it all ready to go at a moment\u2019s notice,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause you never know if one of these guys go down, I may have to put on the skates and get out there.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very nimble. I\u2019m still ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cYou never know if one of these guys goes down, I may have to put on the skates and get out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Will Ferrell says he\u2019s ready to sub in as a referee at any moment tonight \ud83d\ude2d pic.twitter.com\/rbYf4vf9cw<\/a><\/p>\n