The CHL has appointed a highly experienced officiating crew for the 2026 Final, combining extensive international exposure with strong domestic track records across Europe’s top leagues. Mikael Holm (SWE) and Christoph Sternat (AUT) will serve as Head Referees at the all-deciding game, supported on the lines by Ludvig Lundgren (SWE) and Tommi Niittylä (FIN). The CHL Final will be played on 3 March 2026 at 19:00 CET at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg (SWE) and will feature an all‑Swedish match-up between Frölunda Gothenburg and Luleå Hockey.
Head Referee Mikael Holm (SWE) is active since 2011 and brings significant experience from both domestic SHL action and major IIHF events. He has officiated 53 CHL games to date, adding to a strong international resumé that includes the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, the 2025 IIHF World Championship – where he officiated the Gold Medal Game – as well as assignments at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, and the 2024 IIHF World Championship, including another Gold Medal Game. Domestically, Holm has overseen more than 700 SHL games, including 72 playoff games and 11 finals.
Alongside him, Head Referee Christoph Sternat (AUT) will take the ice. Sternat has been officiating since 2014 and has been part of the ICE Hockey League since 2016, becoming a full‑time professional in 2024. He has officiated 22 CHL games and worked several IIHF events including the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Div. IA, and multiple IIHF World Championships at men and junior levels. In the ICE Hockey League, he has officiated more than 420 games, participated in five consecutive final series and worked 60 playoff games.
On the lines, Ludvig Lundgren (SWE) boasts one of the most seasoned profiles in European officiating. Active since 1998 and part of the SHL since 2009, he became the league’s first professional linesperson in 2021. Lundgren has officiated 62 CHL games and has been assigned to numerous top‑tier events, including the 2025 IIHF World Championship, multiple IIHF World Championships – featuring the 2024 Gold Medal Game – and the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship Gold Medal Game. He is set to reach 750 SHL games officiated immediately after the CHL Final and has worked 77 playoff games and more than 10 final series.
Completing the crew is linesperson Tommi Niittylä (FIN), who has been officiating since 2007 and ranks among the most experienced linespersons in Liiga history. He has officiated 36 CHL games to date and boasts a wide international portfolio, including the 2025 IIHF World Championship, the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship with the Bronze Medal Game, the 2023 and 2022 IIHF World Championships, and the 2021 IIHF U18 Worlds. In Liiga, Niittylä has officiated over 700 games, along with 55 playoff games and five final games (2019, 2023, 2025).