Sports fans watch on as Britain experiences fullest solar eclipse since 1999

Solar eclipse fullest above British skies since 1999 as spectators take it in at sporting events across Europe Sporting fans at Edgbaston for Cricket's The Hundred, Birmingham for the European Athletics Championships and Salzburg for the UEFA Super Cup clash between Aston Villa and PSG were well-placed to take in the fullest solar eclipse since the total eclipse of 1999 Wednesday 12 August 2026 20:46, UK Cricket fans at Edgbaston were among sporting spectators given a stunning view of Wednesday evening's partial solar eclipse. The sky took on an eerie darkness as the Moon obscured more than 90 per cent of the Sun, leaving only a slim crescent of light visible. Spectators watching Birmingham Phoenix face MI London in The Hundred were able to take in the spectacle from the stands, with many wearing special glasses. The eclipse was the fullest above British skies since the total eclipse in 1999. - Today's cricket scorecards: The Hundred and more - The Hundred - latest men's and women's tables for 2026 - Watch The Hundred and more sport contract-free on NOW Other sporting events also took place against the unusual backdrop. Floodlights were turned on in anticipation at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. Small groups, including Swedish athletes Erika Warff and Tilde Bjerager, gathered outside Alexander Stadium to observe the phenomenon, congregating on both sides of the terrace below the west stand. Some were prepared with protective paper glasses while others watched through their phone cameras, although the rare occurrence was already obscured by clouds when it peaked at around 7.15pm. In Salzburg, football fans attending the UEFA Super Cup between Aston Villa and European champions Paris St Germain also gazed skywards. The eclipse took place around half an hour before kick-off in the Austrian city. Watch every match of The Hundred through to the finals on Sunday August 16. Stream contract-free on NOW.