C'est Magnifique! Evian Brings The Flair a Major Should Have

Golf majors usually earn their place through history. The Amundi Evian Championship has had to build its reputation in real time.

Still the youngest of the LPGA's five majors, the championship has spent the last decade evolving from "the new major" into one of the most distinctive weeks in women's golf. Between its postcard-worthy setting overlooking Lake Geneva, a course that produces equal parts brilliance and chaos, and a willingness to think differently about the fan experience, Evian has stopped trying to fit the traditional major mold. Instead, it's carving out one of its own.

A view of the fifth hole prior to the start of 2018 The Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

As the only women's major played in continental Europe—and the only one co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour—Evian occupies a lane all its own. The other four majors either have a men's counterpart or exist alongside one. Evian doesn't have that luxury. It has had to create its own traditions, establish its own identity, and prove that a major doesn't need a century of history to feel like one.

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That independent spirit has been woven into the championship since the very beginning. Founded in 1994 as the Evian Masters on the Ladies European Tour, the tournament has always possessed a personality unlike anywhere else in golf. It's hard not to when your backdrop is the French Alps. Nestled on the shores of Lake Geneva near the French-Swiss border, the town of Évian-les-Bains transformed from a quiet fishing village into one of Europe's most picturesque spa destinations after its mineral springs made it famous around the world. The championship has grown alongside that setting, embracing a sense of place that no other major can replicate.

Perhaps its my American romanticism that elevates Evian a touch above the rest, but there's no denying the opulence attached to this tournament. With strong partnerships with Rolex, Veuve Clicquot, and Porsche to help bolster the player and fan experience—this is an event that leans into its own lore and executes the luxury attached to golf in a very digestible way.

Image courtesy of the Amundi Evian Championship/Philippe Millereau/KMSP.

With ticket prices ranging from $30 for one day passes or $75 for the whole weekend with free entry for all spectators under 18, Evian isn't trying to gate keep itself as an experience. You come for the golf and stay for the excess.

Image courtesy of the Amundi Evian Championship/Philippe Millereau/KMSP.

Beyond the on-course action, fans can immerse themselves in a variety of premium and interactive experiences. There's a hospitality area at Hole 16, featuring snacks, drinks, with special VIP offerings such as 'Walk with a Pro', an inside the ropes experience.

The on-site "public village" offers diverse food options and family-friendly activities for all to enjoy. There's probably no option to dine on escargot, but I'm sure there's plenty of croissants and Croque Monsieurs to indulge on. Partners Veuve and Porsche will feature special lounges where fans can sit back and relax while enjoying the amenities.

Evian isn't trying to be like any other major, it's finding ways to leverage its unique characteristics—like curating a color palette associated with the championship. (Though there's another tournament that has *mastered* that technique as well.) The French hosted major features "Pink Sunday" to close out the championship in style. Players and fans are encouraged to wear pink as a celebration of unity, color, and golf tradition on the final day of the tournament. It started in 2024 to commemorate the tournament's 30th anniversary but the sentiment has stuck for the fans.

Image courtesy of the Amundi Evian Championship/Philippe Millereau/KMSP.

Tiny, yet mighty and growing. Evian feels like the cool, younger sibling figuring themselves out. Learning the ways of its big siblings and fine-tuning the ways to make it special and it's becoming one of my favorite weeks of the year, and I can't wait to see what it has up its sleeve for this year and beyond.

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This page was first published on July 9, 2025. Last updated July 3, 2026.