SEARCH
LIST YOUR PROPERTY
The accommodation challenge during the 2026 Omega European Masters
From 3 to 6 September 2026, the prestigious resort of Crans-Montana will be buzzing with the 2026 Omega European Masters. This tournament, a true fixture of the European Tour, brings together the world's top golfers every year on an exceptional course nestled in the heart of the Swiss Alps. While the event is an unmissable festival for golf enthusiasts, it also represents a real logistical challenge for spectators. With nearly 50,000 visitors expected over four days, the Valais resort's capacity is put to the test.
Faced with this massive influx, traditional hotel prices soar, making a stay sometimes prohibitive for sports fans. At Roomlala, we are convinced there is an alternative that is both affordable, friendly, and authentic: a homestay. In this article, we reveal how to find accommodation in Crans-Montana without breaking the bank, while enjoying an enriching human experience, and we outline the rules for local hosts in Valais.
See also: Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics accommodation: Homestay options to experience the event without breaking the bank, Fête de l'Humanité 2026: The tip for low-cost accommodation near Base 217 and POP Montreal 2026: The savvy way to find affordable accommodation in the heart of the festival
The 2026 Omega European Masters: The summit of Crans-Montana golf
A spectacular setting at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club
The Omega European Masters is no ordinary tournament. Played on the legendary Severiano Ballesteros course at the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club, it offers players and spectators a breathtaking panorama of the Alpine peaks, from the Matterhorn to Mont Blanc. The 2026 edition, scheduled from 3 to 6 September, is already shaping up to be an exceptional year. The organisers are doing everything possible to provide an unforgettable experience, combining sporting excellence with the art of mountain living.
This tournament is the only European Tour event held on Swiss soil, which explains the massive interest from the public both at home and abroad. Crans-Montana golf is renowned for its technical difficulty linked to the altitude (1500 metres), which affects the trajectory and distance of the balls. For spectators, walking this hilly course is a true sporting hike, which requires energy and, consequently, a good place to rest come the evening.
However, attending this prestigious event requires some forward planning. Entry tickets go quickly, as do parking spaces and reservations at the resort's popular restaurants. It is therefore crucial to plan your stay several months in advance to secure your spot at the heart of the action.
The impact on accommodation: why plan ahead?
The simultaneous arrival of tens of thousands of spectators, journalists, sponsors, and player teams creates colossal pressure on local housing. Crans-Montana, despite its top-tier hotel infrastructure, is fully booked months before the first tee time. This scarcity of supply mechanically leads to a surge in prices.
It is not uncommon to see hotel room prices double or even triple during the tournament week. Minimum stays of three or four nights are often required by establishments, which significantly inflates the visitors' budget. This is where looking for alternatives becomes crucial for those who wish to enjoy the event without sacrificing their savings.
At Roomlala, we see a significant increase in searches for alternative accommodation in the Sierre and Crans-Montana region each year as September approaches. Booking your homestay in Switzerland in advance is the key to ensuring comfortable, well-located accommodation at a reasonable price.
Why choose a homestay to stay in Crans-Montana?
An affordable alternative to luxury hotels
Faced with the sometimes prohibitive rates of the resort's hotels, a homestay is the smartest solution. By choosing this option through Roomlala, you can make substantial savings. Let's take a concrete example: while a standard hotel night can easily exceed 300 CHF during the Omega European Masters, a homestay usually goes for between 60 and 120 CHF per night, depending on the level of comfort and proximity to the golf course.
Imagine the case of Marc, a golf fan from Lausanne who has come to attend the four days of competition. By opting for a homestay, he saves nearly 800 CHF on his stay. This preserved budget allows him to treat himself to VIP passes for the tournament, dine in the resort's excellent restaurants, or even enjoy a green fee on another local course before heading home.
Furthermore, staying in a homestay often provides access to a kitchen. Preparing your own breakfast or a few meals helps to further reduce additional costs, which can quickly climb in a tourist resort of this calibre.
The authenticity and friendliness of the Valais welcome
Beyond the purely financial aspect, choosing a homestay in Switzerland offers an incomparable human dimension. The people of Valais are renowned for their warm hospitality and love for their region. By staying with a local, you are not just renting a bed; you are benefiting from the expertise of a passionate guide.
Your host will be able to point out the best paths to reach the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club while avoiding traffic jams, the small village restaurants where you can enjoy an authentic wood-fired raclette away from the crowds, or even secret viewpoints to watch the players on the course. This advice is worth its weight in gold during an event of such scale.
- Cultural immersion: Engage with locals and discover the mountain lifestyle.
- Flexibility: Hosts are often more flexible regarding arrival and departure times than classic hotels.
- Tranquillity: Get away from the bustle of the resort centre to rest in a quiet residential area.
Hosts: the golden rules for short-term rentals in Valais
The essential agreement of the landlord or the co-ownership
If you are a resident in Crans-Montana or the surrounding villages (such as Lens, Chermignon, or Montana-Village) and you want to take advantage of the 2026 Omega European Masters to generate extra income, short-term rentals in Valais is an excellent idea. However, in Switzerland, this practice is governed by strict rules that must be followed scrupulously.
If you are a tenant, Article 262 of the Swiss Code of Obligations is clear: you must obtain prior consent from your landlord or your property management company before subletting a room, even for a few days. At Roomlala, we advise you to make this request in writing, specifying the dates (from 3 to 6 September 2026) and the amount requested. The owner can only refuse if you are making an excessive profit or if the subletting causes major disturbances.
If you are an owner within a co-ownership (PPE), caution is also required. It is vital to consult your building's administrative and usage regulations. Some rules expressly prohibit short-term tourist accommodation or excessive tenant turnover to preserve the peace of co-owners. Ensure you are compliant to avoid any disputes with your neighbours.
Communal declaration and tourist tax
Once you have the agreement, your obligations do not stop there. In the canton of Valais, any host offering overnight stays for a fee has a legal obligation to register with their commune or the local tourist office. This process aims to regulate the tourist accommodation market and ensure fair competition with traditional hotels.
One of the most important steps is collecting the tourist tax. As a host, you must collect this tax from your guests (the amount varies by commune, generally between 2.50 and 4.50 CHF per adult per night) and pay it to the local authorities. This tax is not just an administrative burden; it funds tourist infrastructure, trail maintenance, and resort events.
At Roomlala, we encourage our hosts to be totally transparent with their guests from the moment of booking by clearly mentioning whether the tourist tax is included in the displayed price or if it must be paid on-site upon arrival. Complying with these rules guarantees a smooth and legal experience for all parties involved.
Make the most of your stay: tips and tricks
The My Explorer Card: the key to your travel
Paying the tourist tax provides a significant advantage that would be a shame to ignore: obtaining a guest card. In Crans-Montana, this card is called the My Explorer Card. It is given to everyone staying in the resort who pays the tourist tax, including those staying in a homestay.
This card is a real asset during the 2026 Omega European Masters. It offers free travel on the resort's shuttle buses, which is extremely practical for getting to the Golf Club without having to look for (and pay for) a parking space, a near-impossible mission on tournament days. It also allows you to move easily between the various villages of the Haut-Plateau.
Furthermore, the My Explorer Card often provides access to discounts on other transport methods, such as the famous SMC funicular that connects the town of Sierre (in the valley) to Crans-Montana. If you find a homestay in Sierre, you can get to the tournament in a few minutes by funicular, avoiding traffic jams on the mountain road, all while enjoying a preferential rate.
Organising your days around the tournament
To get the most out of your stay during the 2026 Omega European Masters, organisation is paramount. The gates open early, and the most interesting rounds often start in the morning. When staying in a homestay, take advantage of your host's advice to find out the best times to arrive at the site and avoid queues at the entrances.
Don't forget that Crans-Montana offers much more than golf. At the end of your day, once the last putts have been holed, explore the region. Take a walk around Lake Moubra, go shopping in the boutiques on Rue du Prado, or relax in one of the resort's spas.
In summary, the 2026 Omega European Masters is a golden opportunity to get excited about top-level sport. By choosing to stay in Crans-Montana in a homestay with Roomlala, you are choosing financial intelligence, authentic encounters, and respect for local rules. Pack your clubs, book your room in advance, and see you in September 2026 on the Valais greens!
There are no comments yet.
Add a comment
You must log in to post a comment.