The 23rd National Eisteddfod Young Performer Awards Competition provides a next level of participation for all diploma award recipients in last year’s National Eisteddfod and other similar events. It is one of the most prestigious events of its kind in South Africa for young performers in music, dance and drama. The competition spans four elimination rounds, with over R500,000 previously awarded in the Semi-final and Final Rounds. After two preliminary rounds in March 2026, the competition is now at its final stages.
On 7–8 May, 91 performers and groups will compete by age categories for the gold, silver, and bronze medals in Classical/Crossover Music, Contemporary Music, Dance, and Speech and Drama. The top performers from each genre advance to the Final Round on 10 May 2026, where they will compete for a R20,000 cash prize. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals will be awarded to the top three overall performers.