Yb, Er co-doped Y2SiO5 inverse opal photonic crystals with three-dimensionally ordered macroporous were fabricated using polystyrene colloidal crystals as the template. Under 980 nm excitation, the effect of the photonic stopband on the upconversion luminescence of Er3+ ions has been investigated in the Y2SiO5:Yb, Er inverse opals. Significant suppression of the green or red UC emissions was detected if the photonic band-gap overlaps with the Er3+ ions emission band.