Will Ferrell just proved that Christmas spirit isn’t confined to December 25—it can also show up courtside, dressed in green tights and jingling all the way to a hockey game. The 57-year-old comedy legend turned Crypto.com Arena into the North Pole on Sunday night (December 29) as he cheered on the Los Angeles Kings during their showdown with the Philadelphia Flyers.
But this wasn’t just any ordinary hockey fan moment. Oh no. Will Ferrell didn’t just show up. He showed out. Decked in his iconic Buddy the Elf costume—complete with fuzzy white trim, a pointy green hat, and an undeniable aura of holiday cheer—he was the ultimate Christmas gift to hockey fans everywhere.
Thanks to Sports Illustrated (and their unofficial job as Santa’s paparazzi), we got a front-row seat to the spectacle. Pictures and videos captured Will in the stands, clearly having the time of his life. He cheered, he laughed, and—because Buddy the Elf is nothing if not unpredictable—he smoked a cigarette. Yes, smoked. Imagine Buddy telling Santa, “I know nicotine isn’t one of the four main food groups, but let’s live a little.”
Will’s festive throwback had fans reminiscing about Elf, the 2003 cinematic masterpiece that gave us maple syrup spaghetti cravings and a guide to finding our dad in New York City. Over 20 years later, the film remains a yuletide treasure, and Will’s arena antics remind us why we fell in love with Buddy in the first place.
So, what did we learn from this legendary hockey outing? That Will Ferrell doesn’t just keep the Christmas spirit alive—he delivers it on skates, in tights, and with enough chaotic energy to rival a snowball fight in Central Park. Go Kings, and may all your hockey games be merry and bright!
Buddy the Elf isn't looking too good these days… 😭🤣 pic.twitter.com/tGgo6KGFSf
— Gino Hard (@GinoHard_) December 30, 2024