Floodlights Turned On for Matches During UK Solar Eclipse
Excitement is building as the UK prepares for a rare solar eclipse on Wednesday, when floodlights will illuminate all four Hundred matches taking place. According to reports, the eclipse will see nearly 90% of the sun covered by the moon, with the event occurring between 6:17 PM and 8:06 PM BST, peaking just after 7 PM.
This will be the first partial solar eclipse visible in the UK in 27 years. The phenomenon will be visible across Europe, and in some areas, viewers will experience a total eclipse as the sun, moon, and Earth align.
As the eclipse unfolds, daylight will noticeably dim, temperatures may cool down, and wind patterns might shift. After the event, the sun will slowly reemerge, restoring natural light.
On Wednesday, four hundred matches are set to be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The Welsh Fire women will kick off the day against the London Spirit women at 11:30 AM BST in Cardiff, with the men’s teams following at 3 PM BST. Meanwhile, the Birmingham Phoenix women will compete against MI London at Edgbaston starting at 3 PM, leading into the men’s match later at 6:30 PM.
To ensure the matches run smoothly despite the changing light, organizers have decided to keep the floodlights on throughout all games. Additionally, fans attending the matches will receive extra information about the eclipse.
Experts are advising the public to avoid looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Only specially made solar eclipse glasses that meet safety standards should be used for viewing.
The solar eclipse will also impact horse racing in the UK, with Kempton hosting races on the same day. The twilight meeting at Ffos Las will begin and end earlier to ensure all races occur in daylight. However, Kempton is equipped with floodlights, making it less of a concern.
Floodlights will be turned on ahead of the races, with the eclipse expected to happen between 7:02 PM and 7:16 PM BST. Kempton’s races are scheduled for 7 PM and 7:30 PM BST. Clerk of the course Barney Clifford mentioned the decision to activate the floodlights early, noting the unpredictability of how much of the sun will be obscured.
“This is a unique occasion, and I want to make sure our meeting is not affected by the varying light conditions,” Clifford stated.
The choice to keep floodlights on during the Hundred matches aims to keep the games ongoing without interruptions caused by the eclipse.
Published By: Saurabh Kumar
Published On: Aug 11, 2026 23:45 IST
