Barcelona and Montpellier will play a preseason friendly at Johan Cruyff Stadium during a solar eclipse on Wednesday. The reigning Liga F champions and UEFA Women's Champions League holders are proceeding with the 7 p.m. kickoff despite the rare astronomical event, billing it as "a match that will eclipse Barcelona."

The eclipse will cover 99.81% of the sun over Barcelona, reaching near-totality at 8:29 p.m. during the second half. Players have been advised to keep their eyes on the ball, while fans will receive certified solar viewing glasses. Goalkeeper Cata Coll must be especially careful when punting the ball skyward.

Sports schedules are typically altered for eclipses of this magnitude, but Barcelona is leaning into the occasion. Real Madrid's men's team will simultaneously face Deportivo La Coruña at Riazor Stadium in Galicia, where officials have designated optimal viewing areas and issued similar safety warnings.

Tarragona, an hour south, will experience total coverage, while Barcelona gets a partial eclipse lasting almost two hours. The infrared light during the event can cause retinal damage, so spectators may only remove glasses at full coverage — a moment that won't occur in the Catalan capital.