Urdd Eisteddfod in Cardiff Bay will be free to enter
ENTRY to the Urdd National Eisteddfod 2019 in Cardiff will be free for the first time ever, Urdd Gobaith Cymru has announced today.
The Urdd National Eisteddfod will be held in Cardiff Bay next year, and the Eisteddfod site, also known as the maes, located around Roald Dahl Plass, will be free of charge.
It follows the success of this year’s National Eisteddfod.
This year’s event, which took at Cardiff Bay, was mainly free – there were no fences, with events held at different venues all across the bay.
Today’s announcement means it will be the first time the Urdd National Eisteddfod has offered free entry, although because of the nature of the event fences will be erected and entrances staffed to ensure the safety of the young people performing.
But the news means thousands of young competitors and supporters will be able to benefit.
It is also hoped that the move will enhance the accessibility of the festival and attract a new audience to the Eisteddfodd, the largest travelling festival in Europe for young people.
The over-18s wanting to see the preliminary rounds and Eisteddfod Pavilion competitions will need to buy wristbands, but all competitors will go in free of charge.
The wristbands will go on sale in the new year.
Sian Lewis, chief executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer free entry to the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Cardiff and the Vale 2019.
“The Urdd prides itself on being an inclusive and accessible organisation for children and young people from all walks of life.
“We hope that offering free entry to an event at the capital city of Wales will attract visitors who would not normally visit an eisteddfod or interact with the Urdd.
“The Eisteddfod is the perfect event to showcase the language itself and range of Urdd activities.”
Due to the unique nature of the Urdd National Eisteddfod and the high number of children attending, fences will still be erected around the maes and entrances will be staffed and managed.
This is a different arrangement to that of the National Eisteddfod in the bay this year.
Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff Council, welcomed the announcement. “It is great news for Cardiff that will be having free entry to the Eisteddfodd next year,” he said.
“Last year, we saw up to half a million visitors, smashing all previous records.
“For those who attended last year, I hope they had a good experience and will now understand what the event is all about.
“I hope next year’s Eisteddfodd will see more visitors and also give schools across Cardiff the encouragement to get involved in all the competitions on offer,” Councillor Thomas added.
Changes to next year’s Eisteddfod include free entry for everyone to the Eisteddfod and free admission to all preliminary rounds and competition venues for all competitors and under-18s. A daily wristband will allow access to view the competing at the preliminary rounds and the pavilion. The evening concerts and shows will be ticketed events as usual.
Tickets and wristbands go on sale on February 1, 2019.