Release from 04.02.2026

Referee Julia Kainberger is ready for the Olympic Games

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Salzburg native Julia Kainberger is set to reach another milestone in her impressive career with her nomination for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Games. The 31-year-old, who served as a lineswoman at the Beijing Games four years ago and now works as a head referee, is eagerly looking forward to her second Olympic adventure.

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“The Olympic Games are an absolute highlight, but I also see them as a step along the way. I want to keep developing, learning, and consistently performing at the highest level. Just like every team, I want to be on the ice as long as possible during a tournament or the playoffs. The experiences I gain here will help me become an even better official in the win2day ICE Hockey League,” says Kainberger, who traveled from Klagenfurt to Milan on Sunday after officiating an ICE League game.

For Kainberger, these will be her second Olympic Games. In 2022, she was part of the officiating crew in Beijing as a lineswoman. Immediately after the final, the IIHF launched the “Road to Milano” selection process, during which referees and linespersons were observed and evaluated over several years. Among them was Kainberger, now promoted to head referee.

She already took to the ice at the “Olympic Games Pre-Qualification Women Group H” tournament in Gävle, Sweden, in February 2025. Last summer, she was officially announced as one of twelve referees for Milano Cortina 2026. “I received the nomination by phone. Honestly, I was speechless at first — it was a mix of joy and pride. I immediately realized how much work, discipline, and support went into reaching this point. And of course, I thought of all my colleagues who have accompanied me over the years and helped make this dream come true,” Kainberger recalls. She had already taken part in a preparation camp in Milan in December.

Making history again and again
The former defensewoman has gained extensive experience as a head referee over recent years. On December 30, 2023, she made her debut in the win2day ICE Hockey League — becoming the first woman ever to officiate a game (Ljubljana vs. Asiago). Another milestone came in September 2024, when she became the first female referee to officiate a Champions Hockey League game. Now, her next big step awaits in Milan: “The Olympic Games are the pinnacle of sport — also for referees. Skating out under the Olympic rings still feels surreal. It’s pure goosebumps. For me, it’s an enormous recognition of my performance and my journey, which wasn’t always easy. It shows that our work is seen and appreciated. Being selected as a referee from a small hockey nation proves that you can reach the top of the world from anywhere.”

The level of play at the Olympic women’s ice hockey tournament will be extremely high — which means demanding work for the officiating crew as well. Physical contact has become more common in European women’s hockey, further increasing the challenges. Kainberger has prepared both physically and mentally for the task ahead and is eager for the tournament to begin. “Being part of this event is something truly special and a great honor. The pressure is real — these medals are awarded only every four years. The media attention is huge, but I try to use that pressure in a positive way. In the end, it’s always about making clear decisions and managing the game in the best possible way. At this level, mutual respect is key — between coaches, players, and referees alike. Everyone contributes to making the sport work, and that mutual trust is what makes it so rewarding.”

When exactly the Salzburg referee will take to the ice for her first game in the preliminary round, which begins Thursday, is still to be decided — assignments are announced at short notice. But one thing is certain: Kainberger is ready. “I’m prepared for every game and am especially looking forward to that first one — that’s when it will truly sink in.”

Photo: EC-KAC/Florian Pessentheiner