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

"This is a childhood dream come true," beams Julia Kainberger, after the nominations were officially announced. Anticipation is naturally high, especially as these Olympic Games will take place under very different circumstances to those in Beijing (CHN) in 2022. "At that time, everything was still overshadowed by the COVID19 pandemic, and the Games were held virtually without spectators. That is now over, and Italy is very close to home. Family and friends will come," says the Salzburg native.

Immediately after the final at the Olympic Games in Beijing 2022, the IIHF launched a selection process called "Road to Milano", through which the referees and linespersons now nominated were continuously identified. Julia Kainberger is among them, having made her debut in the win2day ICE Hockey League on 30 December 2023. At the time, the ÖEHV and IIHF official became the first female referee to officiate a match in the country’s top ice hockey league, between HK SZ Olimpija Ljubljana and Migross Supermercati Asiago Hockey.

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

Julia Kainberger: "This confirms the work you have put in over four years. There is an enormous process behind it; you have to prove yourself year after year. The referee pool is heavily weighted towards North America. Being selected as one of only four Europeans is a great honour. I hope this gives domestic officiating a boost and that we can carry this momentum forward. This nomination is the reward for what you give up during the year: all the birthdays and celebrations, as well as the many trips. The Olympic Games are the biggest event in sport. To be part of them, especially as a referee, is a special honour. The experiences you gain there can never be taken away from you, and it is great to pass them on to young referees."

Gerhard Schiffauer, ÖEHV Referee in Chief: "I see Julia Kainberger’s nomination as a referee at the Olympic Games as recognition and appreciation of the performances she has delivered internationally in recent years. Julia will hopefully serve as a role model for many more domestic referees and open the door to many more assignments at international level. Year after year, we are proud to send our referees to major events across the various categories. This should also be an incentive to continue developing."

Last season, the 30-year-old Salzburg native reached another major career milestone: in Switzerland, Kainberger became the first woman to officiate a Champions Hockey League game as a referee, before immediately following it up with another match. Kainberger made her Champions Hockey League debut as a head referee in the match between ZSC Lions Zürich and Straubing Tigers. Soon afterwards, the Salzburg native was back in action in the Champions Hockey League, officiating the game between Genève-Servette and Ilves Tampere alongside Finnish referee Mikko Kaukokari.

The secondary school teacher, who played for Austria at four World Championships as a national team player, is a sought-after referee internationally. She has officiated at five IIHF Women’s World Championships, including one final, and at two U18 Women’s World Championships, including two finals.

IIHF officials for Milano Cortina 2026

Referees

Kelly Cooke, USA
Melissa Doyle, USA
Ida Henriksson, SWE
Samatha Hiller, USA
Julia Kainberger, AUT
Cianna Lieffers, CAN
Elizabeth Mantha, CAN
Michelle McKenna, CAN
Shauna Neary, CAN
Annina Nurmi, FIN
Zuzana Svoboda, CZE
Amanada Tassoni, USA

Lineswomen

Sarah Buckner, USA
Jennifer Cameron, USA
Alexandra Clarke, CAN
Laura Gutauskas, CAN
Kristyna Hajkova, CZE
Jessica Lundgren, SWE
Tiina Saarimaki, FIN
Justine Todd, CAN
Kirsten Welsh, USA
Erin Zach, CAN