The Schweizerischer Brass Band Wettbewerb (SBBW) — Switzerland's national brass band championship — returns to Montreux on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026, according to the official SBBW programme published by Swiss Brass, the sport's national federation. It's the first time the competition has been back at the 2m2c since 2022, after four years split between a venue renovation and a run of editions in Lucerne. Here's what's confirmed, what changed, and what it means if you're visiting Montreux that weekend.
SBBW 2026 at a glance
Dates: 28–29 November 2026 · Location: 2m2c – Montreux Music & Convention Centre · Format: six categories, Swiss brass bands competing for the national title · Last held in Montreux: 2022 · Info and tickets: swissbrass.ch
In this guide
What is the Swiss Brass Band Championship?
The SBBW is organised by the Schweizerischer Brass Band Verband (SBBV), the umbrella federation for Switzerland's brass band movement, and has run since the mid-1970s — the 2025 edition in Lucerne marked its 50th anniversary. Unlike a wind orchestra or fanfare, a "brass band" in this competitive tradition is an all-brass-and-percussion ensemble in the British style: cornets, horns, euphoniums, trombones and tubas, no woodwinds. Bands are split into six divisions by ability, from entry-level categories up to the Elite division, where the Swiss champion title is decided.
At the last Montreux edition, in November 2022, 61 bands from across the country competed over the weekend, using both the Auditorium Stravinski and the Miles Davis Hall at the 2m2c to run categories in parallel. That same edition introduced a new honour, the "Verdienstauszeichnung SBBV," first awarded to young Valais cornet player Mathilde Roh in recognition of her contribution to the movement.
Why 2026 marks a return to Montreux
In 2022, the SBBW's own organisers confirmed that edition would be the last in Montreux before the 2m2c closed for a multi-year renovation. The 2023 and 2024 championships relocated to the KKL in Lucerne, and the 50th-anniversary edition stayed there too, held on 29–30 November 2025 — where Valaisia Brass Band, under conductor Arsène Duc, defended its Swiss champion title in the Elite category.
The 2m2c's own reopening timeline lines up with the SBBW's return: Montreux's Septembre Musical festival has separately confirmed its "grand retour" to the renovated Auditorium Stravinski for its own 80th-anniversary edition in September 2026, after two years of transformation works at the venue. The SBBW's move back to the 28–29 November 2026 dates puts the championship among the first major events to use the fully reopened 2m2c for a full competitive weekend.
What to expect across the weekend
Past Montreux editions have run both days from morning through evening, with lower categories competing earlier in the day and the Elite division's set-piece and own-choice performances closing out each day. Saturday evenings have traditionally wrapped with "Brass Night," an informal concert in the 2m2c's entrance hall — in 2022 this was performed by the Riviera Jazz Quartet. Exact 2026 timings, category order, and any evening programme haven't been published yet; check swissbrass.ch closer to the date for the confirmed running order.
Results for each category are typically announced on-site once every band in that division has performed, with the overall Swiss champion named at the close of the Elite category on the Sunday.
Getting in: tickets and access
The SBBW is a public, spectator event — you don't need to be a competitor or a federation member to attend. In past editions, information and ticket bookings ran through the organiser's own site and, historically, through Saison Culturelle's box office rather than at the door. Since 2026 is the first Montreux edition in four years, confirm current ticketing arrangements on swissbrass.ch before you travel.
Getting to Montreux
The 2m2c sits directly on the Montreux lakefront, a five-minute walk from Montreux train station.
- From Geneva: ~70 minutes by direct InterCity train, running every 30 minutes.
- From Lausanne: ~25 minutes, frequent connections throughout the day.
- From Zurich: ~2 hours direct, hourly InterCity trains.
- From Geneva Airport: ~80 minutes via one change at Geneva Cornavin.
- By car: motorway A9 runs directly to Montreux, though train is simpler on competition days given limited lakefront parking.
Where to stay for SBBW 2026
With around 60 bands historically travelling in for the weekend — each bringing players, conductors, and family or supporters — late November has, in past editions, been one of the busier weekends in an otherwise quiet month for the town. Staying centrally means a short walk to the 2m2c rather than relying on late-evening transport once results are announced.
Late November sits well after the autumn shoulder season and ahead of the Montreux Christmas Market — see our Montreux winter rental guide if you're a property owner weighing how one-off events like this affect a typically quiet month. For the town's other major music dates, our Septembre Musical 2026 programme and Montreux Jazz Festival 2026 programme cover the rest of the Riviera's music calendar.
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Looking for a Montreux apartment near the 2m2c for SBBW weekend?
Riviera Host manages apartments in central Montreux, within walking distance of the 2m2c. Talk to us about availability for 28–29 November.
Check AvailabilityFrequently asked questions
When is the Swiss Brass Band Championship 2026 in Montreux?
The Schweizerischer Brass Band Wettbewerb (SBBW) 2026 takes place on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026 at the 2m2c – Montreux Music & Convention Centre, according to the official SBBW website. It is the first edition held in Montreux since 2022.
Why hasn't the championship been in Montreux since 2022?
The 2m2c underwent a multi-year renovation starting in 2023, so the 2023 and 2024 editions moved to the KKL in Lucerne. The 2025 edition — the competition's 50th anniversary — was also held in Lucerne before the SBBW's planned return to Montreux for 2026.
How many bands compete and in what categories?
The last Montreux edition in 2022 drew 61 brass bands from across Switzerland, competing across six categories from entry level up to the Elite division, where the Swiss champion title is decided. Band numbers for 2026 will be confirmed closer to the event.
Is the event open to the public and do I need tickets?
Yes, the SBBW is open to spectators across both competition days. Tickets and programme information are handled through the organiser's own channels — swissbrass.ch and, historically, Saison Culturelle — rather than at the door, so check availability before travelling.
Where can I stay near the 2m2c for the championship weekend?
The 2m2c sits directly on the Montreux lakefront, a short walk from the town centre and train station. Riviera Host manages apartments in central Montreux within easy walking distance of the venue for the 28–29 November weekend.
Related reading: Septembre Musical Montreux-Vevey 2026 programme · Montreux Jazz Festival 2026 programme · Montreux winter rental guide · Montreux Airbnb pricing strategy