The fundraising appeal for the 2026 Urdd National Eisteddfod on Anglesey has reached its target with a week to go.

Final preparations are taking place at the Mona showground near Gwalchmai, where around 100,000 visitors are expected for Europe's biggest youth festival, which gets underway next Saturday.

Two years ago, organisers set a fundraising target of £380,000 for the event, which was last held on Anglesey in 2004.

The Eisteddfod is also being held for a full seven days for the first time in its history, in response to growing demand for new competitions.

This year, the Urdd has attracted more than 14,000 entries - with a record number of children and young people from Anglesey registering to take part.

Manon Wyn Williams, chair of the executive committee, said: "I would like to sincerely thank all the dedicated and enthusiastic individuals who have contributed in so many ways to the preparations for this year's Eisteddfod."

"Thanks to their hard work, we have succeeded in reaching the county's financial target by raising £380,000."

"We also appreciate the tireless work of coaches and teachers, who have been busy over the last few months ensuring that more children and young people than ever from Ynys Môn have had invaluable experiences competing in the district and regional Eisteddfodau."

"We look forward to seeing the culmination of two and a half years' worth of preparation work, and to welcoming everyone to the first full seven-day Eisteddfod on Ynys Môn."

Across the week, over 400 competitions are taking place, ranging from recitation, singing and dancing to arts, crafts, hairdressing and cooking.

Organisers say the introduction of new competitions for children with additional learning needs (ALN), taking place on the first day of the Eisteddfod, has helped to drive an increase in the number of competitiors.

The competition schedule is as follows:

• Saturday: Welsh learners, disco dancing, ALN (Additional Learning Needs)
• Sunday: Aelwydydd (senior Urdd members)
• Monday: Secondary (year 10 and under 19s)
• Tuesday: Secondary (years 7-9), instrumental year 10 and under 25s
• Wednesday: Adrannau (junior Urdd members), secondary instrumental (years 7-9)
• Thursday: Primary (action song and theatrical performance for schools and Adrannau)
• Friday: Primary

The main prize ceremonies will be held in the white pavilion during the week, including:

• Saturday: the Learners' Medal and the Bobi Jones Medal
• Monday: Young Artist Scholarship and the Art Medal
• Tuesday: the Composition Medal
• Wednesday: the Drama Medal
• Thursday, The Chair
• Friday, The Crown

Llio Maddocks, Urdd arts director, said: "Eisteddfod yr Urdd is for everyone, and extending the festival to seven days for the first time ever has allowed us to reach out to new audiences and competitors."

"Seeing more competitors with additional learning needs taking part than ever before is proof that the festival continues to broaden the arts opportunities available to children and young people through the medium of Welsh."

"A huge thank you to Ynys Môn for the warm welcome, to the local committees for all their hard work and support, and to the hundreds of volunteers who will be helping us run the historic festival next week."

The opening weekend of the Eisteddod will feature the annual Gŵyl Triban festival with an opening night line-up including Ciwb, Aleighcia Scott, Dros Dro, Mynadd, Tew Tew Tennau, Maes Parcio and Alis Glyn.

On Sunday, local bands and artists will take centre stage including Elin Fflur, Fleur de Lys, Gwilym, Cordia, Buddug and Popeth.

In addition, lower income families will be able to claim free tickets to the Eisteddfod thanks to financial support from the Welsh Government.

Anglesey Council leader Gary Pritchard added: "As the mother island, Ynys Môn is one of the strongholds of the Welsh language, and we are delighted to welcome the National Eisteddfod yr Urdd here."

"Eisteddfod yr Urdd is a powerful celebration of our language, our culture and, above all, our young people."

"This year's festival is particularly significant as it is being held over seven days for the first time, with thousands of children and young people competing and using the Welsh language naturally in a creative, social and competitive environment throughout the week."

"On behalf of the Isle of Anglesey County Council and the people of our island, I extend a very warm welcome to all visitors, and wish all the competitors the best of luck during what promises to be an unforgettable week."

MônFM will have extensive coverage of the 2026 Urdd National Eisteddfod on-air and online throughout the week.