How will football matches deal with the solar eclipse today?

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FT Desk

Today, 12 August 2026, there is a major total solar eclipse.

This happens when the Moon passes directly between the Earth and the Sun, blocking the Sun from view. The path of totality, where the Sun is 100% completely covered, passes through places including Greenland, Iceland, northern Spain and parts of Portugal.

During the eclipse, the Moon will gradually move across the face of the Sun. In areas within the path of totality, the Sun will become completely covered for a short period, causing the sky to become much darker and making the Sun’s outer atmosphere, called the corona, visible.

A total solar eclipse is a rare occurrence and hasn't happened since 1999, so how will football matches deal with the blackout?

Normally, outdoor sporting events are rescheduled depending on what time an eclipse is meant to happen as well as the geographical spot the event is taking place.

Of course, the biggest match set to take place this evening is the European Super Cup final between Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain but the coverage in Salzburg is not as high as in other areas, while it is on later in the evening.

There are two high-profile friendly matches that will be impacted, though.

Barcelona women are set to take on Montpellier at the Johan Cruyff Stadium directly when the eclipse is set to envelop Spain, while Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid face Deportivo.

Those in attendance at the Barca game will be given special glasses to wear when the eclipse happens, while footballers have been advised to keep their eye on the ball to avoid damage by looking at the sky. Floodlights mean the action will still be visible.

In Spain, the eclipse is particularly special because parts of the country are directly in the path of totality. This means that people in these areas will see the Moon completely cover the Sun for a short time, turning the daytime sky dark and allowing the Sun’s faint outer atmosphere, called the corona, to become visible.

The path of totality crosses northern Spain and continues across parts of eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands.

Cities where totality can be seen include A Coruna, Bilbao, Zaragoza and Valencia, as well as Palma in Mallorca. The exact length of totality varies depending on where you are. For example, it lasts around 1 minute 17 seconds in A Coruna, 1 minute 25 seconds in Zaragoza, and about 1 minute 36 seconds in Palma.

The eclipse begins in Spain at around 7:30 pm local time, with totality occurring roughly between 8:26 pm and 8:33 pm, depending on the location. Because the Sun will be relatively low in the sky, having a clear view towards the western horizon is important but be sure not to look directly at it without special glasses.