The Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped (Y0.9La0.1)2O3 were prepared by conventional ceramic processing and the optical properties were investigated. The high transparent ceramic showed large absorption cross section at 980nm (0.84 × 10–20cm−2), J–O intensity parameter Ω2 (5.33 × 10–20cm−2) and spectroscopic quality factor value, which indicate the (Y0.9La0.1)2O3 ceramics are an excellent host material. The energy transfer between Yb3+ and Ho3+ was also demonstrated and the energy transfer efficiency was 99% for 2% Ho: (Y0.9La0.1)2O3 ceramic. In addition, the mid-infrared and near-infrared spectra displayed broad emission band and the mid-infrared emission cross-section increased as a function of Ho3+ concentration. The results suggest that the Ho3+/Yb3+:(Y0.9La0.1)2O3 transparent ceramic is a potential host material for mid-infrared emission lasers.