Next year's Urdd National Eisteddfod festival on Anglesey is set to be held as a seven-day event for the first time.

Europe's biggest youth festival - which will be held at the Mona showground - was orginally due to be staged from Monday 25th - Saturday 30th May 2026.

But organisers are considering changes to cope with an increase in entries and demands for more competiions to be held.

The Urdd is proposing to start next year's Eisteddfod on Saturday 23rd May running across the whole week through to Friday 29th May - with Gŵyl Triban moving to the opening weekend.

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

"We’ve seen more registrations to compete than ever before and a demand for additional stage competitions, and we’re so pleased to see the positive impact the festival is having by increasing opportunities to engage with the Welsh language outside the classroom."

“In response to this demand and to ensure we continue to be an inclusive organisation to each and every child and young person in Wales, we’ll be expanding the Eisteddfod to a seven-day festival.”

The Urdd will consult its members, local branches and committees in the coming months before a decision is reached in the autumn, when the list of competitions is published.

But the plans for a seven-day festival are already being backed by the local executive committee on Ynys Môn.

Committee chair Manon Wyn Williams said: "The annual increase in the number of competitors at the Urdd Eisteddfod is very encouraging and means more and more children and young people are gaining invaluable opportunities through the movement."

"Thanks go to the tireless work of coaches, teachers, volunteers, and the Urdd’s dedicated staff across Wales. As a result, extending the Eisteddfod to seven days is an essential and exciting development."

"It is a privilege for us on Ynys Môn to host this pioneering Eisteddfod, and it’s an opportunity to reimagine the festival’s structure in collaboration with the children 3 and young people of Wales. We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone to the Mother Island in a year’s time!"

Arwel Gruffydd, chair of the Urdd's arts board, added: "Today’s announcement is proof of Eisteddfod yr Urdd’s success and appeal as Europe’s largest touring youth festival."

"Our aim is to continue to offer invaluable opportunities to Urdd members and to reflect Wales in all its diversity by reaching out to new audiences."

The Urdd added it would continue its broadcasting partnership with S4C and BBC Radio Cymru.

Feedback on the proposals can be submitted via the Urdd's website.