Who is the head referee and crew for Super Bowl LX? NFL announces first-ever for 2026 showpiece

With the road to Santa Clara reaching its climax, the NFL has officially pulled back the curtain on the officiating crew for the sport’s biggest stage.

As fans gear up for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026, attention naturally turns to the official in charge.

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The NFL has announced that Shawn Smith will lead the charge as the head referee, marking a historic milestone for the veteran official and setting the stage for how the biggest game of the year will be called.

Who is Shawn Smith?

For the first time in his career, Shawn Smith has been awarded the white hat for the Super Bowl. While Smith is a seasoned veteran, currently in his 11th NFL season and his eighth as a referee, this marks his first-ever Super Bowl assignment as the lead official.

Smith is no stranger to the high-pressure environment of the postseason. He has officiated 11 playoff games throughout his career, including a clean performance during this year’s Divisional Round between the New England Patriots and Houston Texans.

Before earning the top spot for Super Bowl LX, Smith served as an alternate for Super Bowls LV and LVIII.

When he isn’t managing NFL superstars on the field, the Ferris State alumnus works as a corporate manager and internal auditor in the Detroit area.

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Who makes up the rest of the Super Bowl LX officiating crew?

The NFL doesn’t just send a standard regular-season crew to the Super Bowl.

Instead, the league selects an “All-Star” unit based on performance grades throughout the season. Smith will lead a group that blends veteran Super Bowl experience with fresh faces making their debuts on the big stage.

Smith will be joined by veteran umpire Roy Ellison, who is working his fourth Super Bowl, while down judge Dana McKenzie earns his second appearance.

Julian Mapp and Jason Ledet will both make their Super Bowl debuts as line judge and field judge, respectively. Eugene Hall brings experience as the side judge in his fourth Super Bowl, and Greg Steed will serve as back judge for the third time.

Andrew Lambert rounds out the crew as the game’s replay official.

The inclusion of veterans like Ellison and Hall, both officiating their fourth Super Bowl, provides a steadying influence for the debutants on the crew.

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What to Expect: How Shawn Smith Calls a Game

For bettors and hardcore fans, the identity of the referee often signals how the game will flow. Based on data from the 2025-26 season, Smith’s presence could have a major impact on the game.

And while Smith won’t be with his regular crew, it’s still important to note what those tendencies were.

Smith’s crew ranked 12th out of 17 crews in total flags this season, averaging 13.94 penalties per game. This suggests a let them play philosophy that usually avoids constant interruptions.

His crew called the fewest offensive holding penalties in the NFL this year, averaging just 1.71 per game.

And while he is lenient on the line of scrimmage, Smith is known to be stricter in the secondary. His crews averaged 1.35 defensive pass interference calls per game, which is higher than the league average.

Wide receivers may find more success drawing flags on deep balls than offensive linemen will find getting called for holds.

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When is Super Bowl LX?

Super Bowl LX is set to take place on Sunday, February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

With Smith at the helm, the NFL is ushering in a new era of officiating leadership for its 60th anniversary championship game. As the two best teams in the league prepare to collide, they now know exactly who will be enforcing the rules of the game.

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