Chris Kavanagh (referee)

Chris Kavanagh is an English professional football referee from Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester. He officiates primarily in the Premier League having been promoted to the Select Group of Referees in 2017.

Career

Kavanagh began his refereeing career at the age of 13. In 2012, he was promoted to officiate matches in the National League.
Kavanagh began refereeing in the Football League in 2014. Kavanagh took charge of his first Premier League match in April 2017.
Kavanagh was appointed to FIFA's international referees list in 2019.
Kavanagh was the final appointed referee for the 2021 EFL Championship play-off final between Brentford and Swansea City at Wembley Stadium on 29 May 2021. Kavanagh was the video assistant referee for the 2021 FA Cup final between Chelsea and Leicester City.
Kavanagh was appointed referee for the 2024 EFL Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool on 25 February 2024.
In December 2025, Kavanagh was promoted to the elite list of Uefa referees.