Everything you need to know about this year's Urdd
The steel town of Port Talbot is ready to welcome thousands of visitors to Eisteddfod yr Urdd, an annual celebration of Welsh language and culture.
This year there are more Welsh learners competing than ever before, according to Urdd Gobaith Cymru.
The festival will take place in Margam Park from Monday 26 May to Saturday 31 May.
Locals have said the festival will bring much-needed positivity to the town, following the closure of the blast furnaces at Tata steel last year.
The Urdd Eisteddfod is held every year at different locations across Wales, usually to coincide with the spring half term.
The festival brings together young people to compete in events in categories including music, literature and performing arts.
The festival is organised by Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales' largest youth movement, which celebrated its 100th birthday in 2022.
The organisation has announced a record-breaking 119,593 registrations to compete in this year's festival, which includes a significant 42% rise in the number of young Welsh learners compared to last year.
Since announcing in 2023 that the festival would be held in Port Talbot, the steel town has seen a lot of change. In January 2024 it was announced the blast furnaces at Tata Steel would be closing, meaning the loss of nearly 3,000 jobs across the UK but most of those in Port Talbot.
Students at local school Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro Dur hope the Eisteddfod will be a chance to celebrate the area's history.
Rosa McLean, 14, hopes the Eisteddfod will bring more tourism to the area.
"It's really exciting, I've lived in Port Talbot all my life so I feel like I'm more involved in it [Eisteddfod]," she said.
"It's been quite quiet here, so I think the Eisteddfod will brighten the situation with the steelworks."
Tickets for lower income families or children under the age of three are free.
As a part of the Urdd's message of peace and goodwill, the organisation said they were "committed" to continue to appeal to low income families.
General admission per day ranges from £23 for an adult to £15 for a child or £12 for a competitor.
More information about tickets, including who is eligible for free entry, can be found on the Urdd's website.
Margam Park is a stone's throw away from the M4. Exit at junction 38 if you are travelling from the west and junction 37 from the east.
In May a train was named after the Urdd's mascot, Mistar Urdd, to encourage people to use public transport to get to the festival grounds this year.
Organisers have also confirmed details for the shuttle bus service running between Port Talbot (Parkway) train station to the Eisteddfod Maes throughout the week.
The service is free to the public, running between 06:30 BST and 21:56 or 23:26, depending on which day.
Port Talbot steel used to make Urdd crown and chair
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In pictures: The Urdd Eisteddfod
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