Young Traders Market 2026 is OPEN!

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THE NMTF’s Young Traders Market 2026 application is HERE.

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MP NMTF Young Traders Market Support

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Local Young Trader Markets can be found here !

The 2025 Young Traders Market marked a significant milestone with the inclusion of traders from Scotland for the first year, with local YTM markets being held in Barrhead and a regional final in Errol. Now spanning twelve regions throughout the United Kingdom, in 2026 the YTM initiative continues to grow and provide a vital platform for young entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative products and ideas. YTM markets are pivotal to the industry, revitalising markets across the UK and bringing new ideas into the fold. 94 young traders made it to the national final in Stratford-Upon-Avon, from over 1,000 applicants who traded at over 70 local markets and eleven regional finals, many of who can now be found trading on a regular pitch at a market near you! The campaign looks ahead to 2026 with opportunities abound for young traders to get involved and make their mark in this exciting movement, see below to find out how you can be involved for the 2026 campaign, as a trader or an operator.

For those who are thinking about organising a local event, but aren’t too sure, we have a helpful guide you can access here.

Operators — if you want to get involved email the team — [email protected]

If you would like to see the judging criteria, we have a guide that you can access here.

Picture below – The opening of the 2025 Young Traders Market National Final.

From left to right – NMTF CEO Joe Harrison, LSD Promotions Director Dermot McGillicuddy, Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon Cllr Dani Hunter, Chair of Stratford-upon-Avon District Council Cllr Kate Rolfe, Managing Director Market Place Allan Hartwell and NMTF President Mike Riley.  

From the local YTM markets, eight to ten traders were selected and offered a sought after opportunity to trade at one of the eleven YTM regional finals (see right). These are held at prolific locations throughout the UK and NI and are kindly hosted by the market operator as to where they are located.
The YTM campaign has now extended to Scotland in 2025 we worked together with operators to bring local events, with more being arranged for 2026.
That gives you an indication of just how major the YTM project has become.
Above all YTM is about encouraging young entrepreneurs to try market trading and hopefully decide it’s the way forward for them.

To read all about the 2025 campaign — including the results of the grand final — click here.

Pictured with Abi Proctor, the NMTF’S Young Trader of the Year 2025, are (left to right) Chair of Stratford-upon-Avon District Council Cllr Kate Rolfe, NMTF President Mike Riley, NMTF President-Elect Gary Jaques and the Mayor of Stratford-upon-Avon Cllr Dani Hunter.

Regional Finals 2026

Please see the locations of the Regional Finals below