The actor and longtime hockey fan explained that he was ready to step in as a ref “at a moment’s notice” if needed.

Will Ferrell dresses up as hockey referee for NHL game a year after showing up as beer-guzzling Buddy the Elf

The actor and longtime hockey fan explained that he was ready to step in as a ref "at a moment's notice" if needed.

By Emlyn Travis

Emlyn Travis is a news writer at **. She has been working at EW since 2022. Her work has previously appeared on MTV News, Teen Vogue, and *NME*.

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January 2, 2026 8:33 p.m. ET

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Will Ferrell dressed as a referee at a Los Angeles Kings game. Credit:

Kelly Smiley/NHLI via Getty

New year, same Will Ferrell.**

On the first day of 2026, the actor and comedian continued his hilarious holiday tradition of dressing up for hockey games, this time showing up in full NHL referee gear to watch the Los Angeles Kings face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning. **

In video from the game, Ferrell can be seen taking his fake role very seriously as he taps on the glass, yells encouragement to the real officials, and points at various players.

The* Saturday Night Live* alum, who is a longtime Kings fan, spoke about his unique outfit choice with Kings reporter Carrlyn Bathe during the game.

"I've always been in support of the NHL referees. In fact, I trained two of the guys out here," Ferrell quipped. "They're two my of prize students, Brandon and Frances. They're calling a heck of a game."

He noted that the attire was "all mine," and that he'd be happy to step in as a referee if needed. "I've got it ready to go at a moment's notice," Ferrell declared, "because you never know, if one of these guys go down, I may have to put on the skates and get out there."

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In fact, Ferrell said his costume was so accurate that "fine folks at the Kings have begged me" not to use his whistle because it "could cause issues" during the game. He added, "In between periods I gave it a shot. It works very well."

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Will Ferrell dressed as Buddy the Elf at a Los Angeles Kings game in 2024.

Ronald Martinez/Getty

Ferrell’s costume comes one year after he dressed up as a haggard version of his beloved Yuletide* *character Buddy the Elf (from the movie *Elf*) to watch the Kings battle it out against the Philadelphia Flyers. During that game, Ferrell's sullen Buddy could be seen chugging a beer and smoking a candy cigarette as he sat behind the glass with his family.

Ferrell later explained the inspiration behind the stunt on an episode of Jason and Travis Kelce's* New Heights* podcast. "Buddy the Elf got laid off, I think, from the North Pole," Ferrell joked. "He's having a pull from his beer. He's smoking a cig. That was just — I get these weird ideas every now and then."**

He also expressed his surprise at how much attention the costume received. "The reaction was insane. They were like, 'What is he doing? Is he promoting something?'" Ferrell said. "But occasionally I like to do weird things like that just to stir it up."

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