All four fixtures of The Hundred scheduled for Wednesday will be illuminated throughout the entire duration of each game, a decision made to accommodate the partial solar eclipse that will sweep across the United Kingdom later in the evening. Organisers have announced that the usual practice of dimming the stadium lights as daylight fades will be suspended, ensuring that spectators and television audiences can continue to enjoy a fully lit playing surface even as the sky darkens. The eclipse is expected to obscure roughly ninety percent of the Sun’s disc as the Moon passes directly in front of it.
The celestial event will begin at approximately 6:17 p.m. local time, reach its maximum obscuration shortly after 7:00 p.m., and conclude by around 8:06 p.m. This will be the first partial solar eclipse visible from Britain in 27 years, and while many parts of Europe will see a partial covering, a few locations farther east will experience a total eclipse where the Sun, Moon and Earth line up perfectly.
During the peak of the eclipse the ambient light will dim noticeably, temperatures are likely to drop a few degrees, and a brief shift in wind direction may be felt as the Sun’s rays are temporarily blocked. Within a matter of minutes the Moon will move on, the Sun will re‑emerge and normal daylight will return. Because the eclipse will occur during the latter stages of the cricket matches, the usual transition from natural light to flood‑lit conditions would normally be abrupt.
By keeping the floodlights on from the start, the venues avoid any sudden change in illumination that could affect player visibility or the viewing experience. The schedule for Wednesday’s Hundred action is as follows: the Welsh Fire women’s side will open the day at 11:30 a.m.
in Cardiff, taking on London Spirit women. The men’s version of Welsh Fire will then play at 3:00 p.m. at the same ground.
Later, Birmingham Phoenix women will host MI London at Edgbaston from 3:00 p.m., and the men’s teams will meet for the final match of the day at 6:30 p.m. All four games will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, and the network has advised viewers to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player.
In addition to the cricket action, the eclipse will also intersect with a major horse‑racing programme at Kempton Park. The venue has a full schedule of flat races slated for the evening, with two key events timed for 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Kempton’s clerk of the course, Barney Clifford, explained that the circuit’s powerful floodlights will allow the races to proceed safely despite the temporary loss of sunlight.
He recalled that the last eclipse visible from the United Kingdom occurred nearly three decades ago, at a time when Kempton did not yet have its modern lighting system. "I’m going to put the floodlights on early doors," Clifford said, adding that the exact degree of solar coverage cannot be predicted with absolute certainty, so the lights will be switched on well before the anticipated eclipse window of 7:02 p.m.
to 7:16 p.m. Meanwhile, the twilight meeting at Ffos Las racecourse will be adjusted to start and finish earlier than originally planned, ensuring that all six scheduled races are completed in daylight before the eclipse reaches its peak. Unlike Kempton, Ffos Las does not have permanent floodlighting of the same scale, so the organizers have opted to shift the timetable rather than rely on artificial illumination. Spectators are reminded that looking directly at the Sun, even during an eclipse, can cause serious eye damage.
Only solar‑eclipse glasses that meet the ISO 12312‑2 safety standard should be used for viewing. Regular sunglasses, smoked glass, or homemade filters do not provide adequate protection. Sky Sports will also be issuing safety messages to fans both at the stadiums and via its digital platforms, urging everyone to take the necessary precautions. For those who cannot attend the matches in person, the entirety of The Hundred’s season—including the upcoming finals on Sunday, 16 August—can be streamed without a subscription on the NOW platform.
The service offers live coverage of every game, plus highlights, expert analysis and a library of past moments. Fans can also follow Sky Sports on WhatsApp to receive real‑time updates, video clips, and in‑depth commentary throughout the tournament.
In summary, the unique convergence of a rare astronomical event with a busy day of professional sport has prompted cricket and horse‑racing authorities to adapt their usual operating procedures. By keeping floodlights on throughout all Hundred matches and ensuring that race‑course lighting is ready for the eclipse, organisers aim to deliver a seamless experience for players, viewers and attendees alike, while also promoting safe viewing practices for the celestial spectacle itself.