Urdd Eisteddfod organisers have confirmed a shake-up of competitions ahead of next year's festival on Anglesey.

Europe's biggest youth festival will extend to a full week for the first time in response to an increase in entrants and calls for new competitions to be introduced.

The Urdd says it's been working with members, schools and committtees during a public consultation to ensure the new arrangements "offer more opportunities than ever" to engage with the Welsh language through the arts.

Local and regional Eisteddfodau will be held across Wales during the spring before the Urdd National Eisteddfod takes place at the Mona showground near Gwaclhmai from Saturday 23rd to Friday 29th May.

The new competition schedule includes:

• Saturday: Welsh learners, disco dancing
• Sunday: Aelwydydd (senior Urdd members)
• Monday: Secondary (Year 10 and U19s), ALN
• Tuesday: Secondary (Years 7-9) and instrumental, year 10 and U25s)
• Wednesday: Adrannau (Junior Urdd members), secondary instrumental, years 7-9
• Thursday: Primary (action song and theatrical performance for schools and adrannau)
• Friday: Primary

Llio Maddocks, director of the Urdd Eisteddfod, said: "Eisteddfod yr Urdd is an ever-evolving festival, and we listen to our members."

"To ensure we continue to be an inclusive organisation to each and every child and young person in Wales, we’ve worked with the public on a brand-new schedule for competitions."

"Consulting and collaborating with hundreds of members and instructors will help ensure the new arrangements offer more opportunities than ever to participate, and we’re especially thankful to each young person who took part in the national consultation."

"Eisteddfod yr Urdd is their festival, and receiving their input has been priceless. We hope this development leads to even more engaging with the Welsh language and the arts, through their relationship with the Urdd."

Over 400 competitions will take place throughout the week with new competitions ranging from choirs to soloists, monologues to dance.

This year's event, held near Port Talbot, attract a record number of entries - 119,593, including a 42% rise in the number of young Welsh learners compared to the 2024 festival at Meifod, Powys.

To celebrate next year's event on Anglesey, a Welcome Festival will be held on Saturday 20th September with a parade through Llangefni, followed by a family fun day and gig at the Mona showground, featuring performacnes from local bands Celt, Fleur de Lys and Cordia.