Julia Kainberger nominated as referee for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games

“This is a childhood dream come true,” said Julia Kainberger after the official announcement of the nominations. Naturally, the excitement is enormous, especially since these Olympic Games will take place under very different circumstances compared to Beijing 2022. “Back then everything was overshadowed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Games were held virtually without spectators. That’s over now, and Italy is so close to home. My family and friends will be able to come,” the Salzburg native explained.

Immediately after the final of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games, the IIHF launched a selection process called “Road to Milano,” during which the now-nominated referees and linespersons were continually evaluated and chosen. Part of this group was Kainberger, who made her debut as the first female referee in Austria’s top ice hockey league on December 30, 2023, officiating the game between HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana and Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey.

As part of “Road to Milano,” she officiated at the Olympic Games Pre-Qualification, Women’s Group H, in Gävle, Sweden, in February 2025, and was ultimately nominated as one of twelve referees for Milano Cortina 2026.

Julia Kainberger: “This is recognition of the work you’ve put in over four years. There is a huge process behind it—you have to prove yourself year after year. The referee roster is very North America-heavy, so being selected as one of only four Europeans is a great honor. I hope this will give Austrian officiating a push and that we can carry this momentum forward. This nomination is the reward for all the sacrifices you make throughout the year—missing birthdays, celebrations, and spending so much time traveling. The Olympic Games are the biggest event in sports. To be there as a referee is a special honor. The experiences you gain are yours forever, and it’s wonderful to be able to pass them on to young referees.”

In the last season, the 30-year-old Salzburg native achieved another milestone: she became the first woman to referee a Champions Hockey League game in Switzerland and immediately followed it up with another. Kainberger made her CHL debut as head referee in the clash between the ZSC Lions Zürich and the Straubing Tigers. Shortly after, she was back in CHL action, officiating together with Finland’s Mikko Kaukokari in the game between Genève-Servette and Ilves Tampere.

The high school teacher, who previously represented Austria at four World Championships as a national team player, is an internationally sought-after referee. She has already officiated at five IIHF Women’s World Championships—including one final—and at two IIHF U18 Women’s World Championships, where she refereed two finals as head referee.