As the memorable Garreg Las National Eisteddfod week draws to a close, preparations for the 2027 festival in Maldwyn Meirionnydd are already well under way. The event will be staged on farmland near Glantwymyn, close to Machynlleth, marking the first time the National Eisteddfod has visited Powys since the Meifod festival in 2015.
South Gwynedd will also fall within the 2027 catchment area, with the festival's reach extending north as far as the Mawddach river, taking in Dolgellau, Bala, Tywyn, Aberdyfi and Barmouth.
According to a national broadcaster's report, the 2027 festival has now been officially named the Maldwyn Meirionnydd National Eisteddfod, following a naming competition run in partnership with a Welsh-language radio presenter's programme. The same report notes that Powys has not hosted the National Eisteddfod since 2009, meaning the festival's return represents more than a decade's wait for the county.
What did organisers say at the Garreg Las festival?
Speaking on the Llantwit festival field, Aled Griffiths, chair of the Maldwyn Meirionnydd Eisteddfod's executive committee, said preparations had been running for months but that a great deal of work still lay ahead.
"'Da ni wedi dechrau ers misoedd wrth gwrs, ac oes ma' gennym ni lawer iawn o waith i'w wneud."
"Mae'r wythnos yma wedi hedfan, felly mae'r flwyddyn nesaf yn mynd i hedfan yn yr un modd."
"Wrth gwrs ni'n gyffrous, ni'n ymwybodol iawn o'r gwaith sydd o'n blaenau ni i drefnu ac i godi arian i'r gronfa leol."
"Ond be' 'da ni'n gyffrous iawn ynglŷn â fo ydi'r ffaith bo' ni'n croesawu'r eisteddfod i Ddyffryn Dyfi, ac i Lannau afon Dyfi a 'da ni'n edrych ymlaen yn ofnadwy."
He added that there was already considerable buzz and excitement building across the Powys catchment area and southern Meirionnydd.
Reflecting on comments made to him during the week, Mr Griffiths said several people had suggested his team faced a tough task matching or beating the standard set by this year's festival.
"Nifer o bobl wedi dweud wrthai, ma' gyno' ni waith caled o'n blaenau i efelychu'r 'Steddfod yma ac i guro'r 'Steddfod yma."
"'Da ni ddim am drio curo'r 'Steddfod yma, mae'r 'Steddfod yma yn wych wrth gwrs ac mae'n rhaid llongyfarch John Cwmbetws."
"Mae pob 'Steddfod yn wahanol a dyna be' 'da ni'n anelu am wneud ydi croesawu'r 'Steddfod a rhoi stamp ein hunain a chael 'Steddfod gartrefol, glyd yn nyffryn Dyfi a dwi'n ffyddiog byddwn ni'n gwneud hynny."
On the financial challenge facing organisers, he said the fundraising target should be viewed as secondary to the enjoyment of the process itself.
"Dwi'n edrych ar y targed fel rhywbeth eilradd, y bwriad ydi cael mwynhau y digwyddiadau a'r bwrlwm."
"Mae'n rhaid i chi gael targed er mwyn cael bwrlwm ac felly mae 'na rywbeth yn digwydd rŵan bob penwythnos felly 'da ni'n edrych ymlaen yn arw."
How is the local community getting involved?
Mari Fychan, who lives near Machynlleth, has already been involved in fundraising work for the 2027 event. She said excitement was spreading through the community and beyond.
"Mor gyffrous ac mae'r gymuned a phawb yn edrych ymlaen yn fawr yn yr ardal."
She said she was particularly looking forward to showcasing the local accent, noting that the West Wales dialect had featured prominently at this year's festival.
"Dwi'n edrych ymlaen i ddangos yr acen, achos mae lot o'r acen i'w weld 'leni gyda'r Wes Wes, so edrych ymlaen i bawb glywed hwnna."
"Mae'r 'Steddfod yma yn un llwyddiannus iawn, so bydd hi'n lot o bwyse i wneud rhywbeth mor debyg ond dwi'n siwr bydd o."
As a young person, she said she was especially keen to have the festival on her own doorstep next year.
"Fel person ifanc dwi wir yn edrych ymlaen at flwyddyn nesa' i gael y 'Steddfod yn agos ar fy stepen drws adre', jysd i weld pawb yn yr ardal a'r cyffro, a'r Cymreictod a dathlu hwnna."
How are local authorities preparing?
With councils working together to stage the festival, Rhian Evans, representing Gwynedh at a stand on the festival field, said the cross-county cooperation was a positive way forward.
"Dwi'n meddwl fod o'n syniad gwych ehangu yr ardal ymgyrchu sy'n mynd lawr i Aberhonddu yn y de ac i fyny at y Bala yn y gogledd."
"Mae 'na dipyn o waith i'w wneud ond mae'r paratoadau wedi hen gychwyn."
"Mi fydd 'na groeso cynnes iawn ym Maldwyn Meirionnydd."
Daniel Burgess, representing Powys County Council, said it was heartening to see the festival coming to the area, despite a busy year ahead for organisers. He said the importance of the Welsh language in Powys had at times been overlooked in past years, and said he was looking forward to welcoming the Eisteddfod to the county.
The Llanidloes launch of the Maldwyn Meirionnydd National Eisteddfod, covered in our earlier report on the official proclamation event, formally marked the start of preparations, featuring a procession and a Gorsedd Cymru ceremony along with the presentation of the Rhestr Testunau, the subjects list, to the Archdruid.
What further details have emerged about dates and funding?
According to Powys County Council, the 2027 National Eisteddfod is scheduled to run from 31 July to 7 August 2027. The council also confirmed that the local fundraising fund will launch online on 10 February 2026 at 18:00.
The same broadcaster report on the Glantwymyn announcement noted that more than 100 local residents attended a public meeting there, where they were told the festival would aim to engage communities across Powys and south Meirionnydd.
What happens next?
A preparatory public meeting for the 2027 festival is scheduled for 13 January at Glantwymyn Hall, according to a further broadcaster update. The same report states that nominations for key roles within the 2027 organising structure are currently open and will close on 20 January, with the first local planning meeting due to take place that same month.
Separately, the National Eisteddfod's own announcements page confirms that the formal proclamation ceremony for the Maldwyn Meirionnydd festival will be held in Llanidloes on Saturday 9 May 2026.
Key Facts
- The 2027 National Eisteddfod will be held on farmland near Glantwymyn, close to Machynlleth, from 31 July to 7 August 2027.
- It is the first visit to Powys since the 2015 Meifod festival, and the first since 2009 according to broadcaster reporting.
- The catchment area stretches north to the Mawddach river, including Dolgellau, Bala, Tywyn, Aberdyfi and Barmouth.
- The festival has been officially named the Maldwyn Meirionnydd National Eisteddfod following a public naming competition.
- A public meeting is set for 13 January at Glantwymyn Hall, with role nominations closing 20 January and the local fund launching online on 10 February 2026.
