All four fixtures of The Hundred scheduled for Wednesday will be played under continuous floodlight illumination, a precaution taken because a partial solar eclipse will sweep across the United Kingdom later that evening. The celestial event is expected to block roughly ninety percent of the Sun’s disc as the Moon passes directly in front of it, creating a dramatic dimming of natural light between approximately 6:17 p.m.
and 8:06 p.m., with the greatest obscuration occurring just after 7:00 p.m. This will be the first partial solar eclipse visible from Britain in 27 years, and while most of the country will experience a partial covering, certain locations farther east on the continent will witness a total eclipse, where the Sun, Moon and Earth align perfectly.
As the Moon moves across the Sun, spectators can anticipate a noticeable drop in ambient brightness, a slight fall in temperature, and even a possible shift in wind direction as the sky darkens to a twilight hue. After a few minutes of near‑darkness, the Sun will re‑emerge, restoring daylight and normal conditions. Because the eclipse will intersect the timing of The Hundred’s Wednesday programme, the competition’s organisers have decided to keep the stadium floodlights switched on for the entire duration of each match. This measure ensures that players, officials and fans will not be caught off‑guard by the sudden loss of natural light, and it also helps television broadcasters maintain a consistent picture quality for the live Sky Sports coverage of all four games.
The Wednesday schedule is as follows: the Welsh Fire women will open the day with a 11:30 a.m. clash against London Spirit women at the Sophia Gardens ground in Cardiff.
Later, the men’s Welsh Fire side will take the field at 3:00 p.m. The Birmingham Phoenix women will host MI London at Edgbaston from 3:00 p.m., and the men’s teams will meet at 6:30 p.m. All four contests will be streamed live on Sky Sports, with an additional recommendation that viewers use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience. In preparation for the eclipse, the event’s communications team will circulate extra messaging to ticket‑holders, reminding them of the unusual lighting conditions and encouraging them to bring any necessary eye‑protection gear.
While the floodlights will mitigate the impact on play, experts continue to stress that anyone wishing to view the eclipse directly must use certified solar‑eclipse glasses that meet international safety standards. Ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass or any improvised filters are insufficient and can cause permanent eye damage. Beyond cricket, the eclipse also intersects with the horseracing calendar. Kempton Park, which hosts a series of flat races on the same evening, has confirmed that its state‑of‑the‑art floodlighting system will be activated well before the start of the first race.
Kempton’s clerk of the course, Barney Clifford, explained that the last time a similar eclipse occurred was nearly three decades ago, before the venue installed its modern lighting infrastructure. "We’ll have the lights on early, well before doors open, because you never know exactly how much of the Sun will be covered at any given moment," he said. "Better to be safe than to risk a race being compromised by sudden darkness." At the nearby Ffos Las racecourse, organisers have adjusted the timetable so that the twilight meeting will begin and finish earlier than originally planned, ensuring that all six scheduled races occur in full daylight. In contrast, Kempton’s night‑time capability means its 7:00 p.m.
and 7:30 p.m. races can proceed as intended, even though the eclipse is predicted to peak between 7:02 p.m.
and 7:16 p.m. Fans of The Hundred can continue to follow the competition through to the final on Sunday, 16 August, with contract‑free streaming available on the NOW platform. Updated men’s and women’s league tables, highlight reels, and key moments from each match will also be posted on the official website and social media channels.
For those who prefer instant updates, Sky Sports offers a WhatsApp subscription delivering the latest news, video clips, analysis and behind‑the‑scenes features directly to users’ phones. In summary, the partial solar eclipse will create a unique atmosphere for Wednesday’s cricket and horse‑racing events across the UK. By keeping floodlights on throughout all Hundred fixtures and by providing clear guidance on safe eclipse viewing, organisers aim to deliver an unforgettable sporting day while safeguarding participants and spectators alike. The combination of natural spectacle and high‑level competition promises a memorable experience for everyone watching, whether from the stands, from home on Sky Sports, or via the NOW streaming service.