All of the fixtures scheduled for The Hundred on Wednesday will be played under floodlights, a decision made to accommodate the upcoming solar eclipse. During the eclipse, the moon will cover roughly ninety percent of the Sun’s disc, creating a dramatic dimming of natural light.
The event is set to unfold between 6:17 p.m. and 8:06 p.m., with the maximum coverage occurring just after 7:00 p.m.
This will be the first partial solar eclipse visible across Europe in 27 years, and in certain locations the alignment of the Sun, Moon and Earth will produce a total eclipse. As the Moon moves in front of the Sun, spectators can expect a noticeable drop in illumination, a slight fall in temperature, and even a possible shift in wind direction.
After a few minutes of darkness, the Sun will re‑emerge and daylight will return to normal. The Hundred has four matches slated for Wednesday, each of which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Fans are advised to use the Chrome browser for the best video‑player experience. The schedule is as follows: the Welsh Fire women will open the day in Cardiff against London Spirit women at 11:30 a.m.; the men’s Welsh Fire team will play at 3:00 p.m.; Birmingham Phoenix women will host MI London at Edgbaston from 3:00 p.m.; and finally the men’s sides will meet at 6:30 p.m. In anticipation of the eclipse, the organisers have announced that the stadium floodlights will stay on for the entire duration of each match, and additional signage will be placed around the venues to keep spectators informed about the celestial event. The eclipse will also affect other sporting events taking place on the same day.
At Kempton Park, horse racing will continue as planned, with the track’s powerful floodlights ensuring that the races scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. can proceed safely despite the reduced daylight.
By contrast, the twilight meeting at Ffos Las has been adjusted to start and finish earlier than originally intended, guaranteeing that all six races occur in full daylight. Kempton’s clerk of the course, Barney Clifford, recalled the last time an eclipse coincided with racing nearly three decades ago, noting that the venue did not have floodlights back then.
He explained, "I’m going to put the floodlights on early doors. I know they have predicted a time for it but you don’t quite know how much of the sun is going to be covered and for what race, so we’ll have the lights on plenty early enough." Spectators who wish to view the eclipse directly must use proper eye protection. Experts stress that only solar‑eclipse glasses that meet recognized safety standards should be worn; ordinary sunglasses, smoked glass, or homemade filters do not provide adequate protection and can cause serious eye damage.
The safest approach is to watch the eclipse on a live broadcast, such as the Sky Sports coverage of The Hundred, which will feature expert commentary and real‑time graphics showing the progress of the Moon across the Sun. For fans following the competition, the latest men’s and women’s Hundred tables are available on the official website, and highlights, key moments, and full‑match replays can be streamed on the NOW platform without a contract. Sky Sports also offers a WhatsApp subscription service that delivers up‑to‑date sports news, video clips, analysis, and exclusive features straight to subscribers’ phones.
The decision to keep the floodlights on throughout the matches reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that the sporting experience remains uninterrupted, even when natural light is compromised. By illuminating the grounds, organisers guarantee that players can perform at their best and that television audiences receive clear, high‑definition coverage.
It also adds a unique visual element: the contrast between the artificial stadium lighting and the dimming sky creates an unforgettable atmosphere for both players and fans. In summary, Wednesday’s cricket action in The Hundred will proceed under bright floodlights while a rare astronomical event darkens the sky for a brief period. The eclipse will begin at roughly 7:02 p.m.
and conclude by 7:16 p.m., fitting neatly between the scheduled race times at Kempton. Whether you are watching the cricket matches, following the horse races, or simply admiring the celestial spectacle, the day promises a blend of sport and science that will be remembered for years to come.