The Wales Millennium Centre houses the Urdd's headquarters

Organisers are expecting more than 100,000 visitors during the week, and 15,000 competitors aged eight to 25.

They claim the Urdd Eisteddfod, which will run from 30 May to 4 June, will be "bigger and better than ever before".

Plans have been announced to include dance and rock music, evening shows, and concerts and sports tuition.

The event, which alternates between north and south Wales, has been held at Cooper's Field in Cardiff, the Mona showground near Gwalchmai, Anglesey and Margam Park near Port Talbot in recent years.

Alongside the competitions held on stage at the new �106m Wales Millennium Centre, art exhibitions, water sports, a climbing wall and hundreds of stalls will be set up around Cardiff Bay.

The Urdd plays a vital role in increasing the use of the Welsh language as well as celebrating Welsh culture Culture Minister Alun Pugh

Director Sian Eirian said she was hoping to build on record crowds at the 2002 Urdd Eisteddfod at Cooper's Field.

"We are hoping that even more visitors will come and experience the Urdd buzz in 2005," she said.

"The Bay area provides a perfect venue for the new format eisteddfod with the Millennium Centre as the hub and we are planning more activities and attractions than ever before."

Cardiff's deputy mayor Delme Bowen said it was a great pleasure to welcome the event back to Cardiff as the city celebrates its centenary and its half-century as Welsh capital.

"The eisteddfod is a pivotal part of our cultural programme in 2005 and a perfect way for young people from all over Wales to celebrate with us," he said.

Welsh assembly culture minister Alun Pugh wished everyone taking part in the eisteddfod "the best of luck".

"The Urdd plays a vital role in increasing the use of the Welsh language, as well as celebrating Welsh culture," he said.

The Urdd eisteddfod began 80 years ago, and involves more than 40,000 competitors in the early stages.

This year's festival was launched in a ceremony at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay on Tuesday.