This year’s Urdd Eisteddfod has made history with a record number of competition entries.
A total of 118,089 entries were received for Eisteddfod yr Urdd Ynys Môn 2026, the highest ever recorded for the north Wales festival. Of those, more than 14,000 came from Ynys Môn itself—the largest number ever from the island.
Llio Maddocks, director of the arts at Urdd Gobaith Cymru, said: "On behalf of the Urdd I’d like to thank the thousands of competitors and visitors for contributing towards the success of our Eisteddfod, and to the local Working Committee for their enthusiasm over the past three years and for extending such a warm welcome.
"We’d also like to thank all the teachers, coaches and volunteers across Wales for their tireless work and for enabling more children and young people than ever before to access invaluable opportunities through the Urdd."
The event was also recognised as the greenest Eisteddfod to date, with organisers saving 40 tonnes of carbon emissions through the use of green energy.
For the first time, the festival ran over seven days, allowing the introduction of new competitions for learners of Welsh and individuals with additional learning needs.
Organisers extended their thanks to the many volunteers who helped deliver one of Europe’s largest travelling festivals at the Anglesey Showground near Gwalchmai.
The wider community also got involved, with activities on the 'maes' for people of all ages in addition to the main competitions.
Thanks were also given to the Welsh Government for its ongoing financial support, which helped ensure free entry for low-income families.
Broadcasting was more extensive than ever with S4C airing more than 400 hours of live coverage, including streaming on BBC iPlayer for the first time.
BBC Radio Cymru featured conversations with winners, and coverage of the festival’s lively atmosphere.
Each of the festival’s six main ceremonies saw a winner crowned.
These included:
- Katie Baddiley of Caernarfon (originally from Norringham) who won the Bobi Jones Medal (ages 19–25)
- Caerwyn Saunders of Treorchy who won the Young Learners Medal
- Dafydd Llŷr Hughes of Llanbedrog, Pen Llŷn who won the Young Artist Scholarship
- Lleucu-Haf Thomas of Pembrokeshire who took home the Art, Design, and Technology Medal
Other notable successes included Elin Undeg Williams from Betws Gwerful Goch in Denbighshire, who was named Chief Prose Writer.
Next year’s festival will be held in Newport for the first time ever.
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