The Balearic Islands are preparing for the chaos and overcrowding of the 2026 total eclipse.

The Balearic Islands are already preparing for what many experts anticipate will be one of the most complex—and massive—events of recent decades: the total solar eclipse of August 12, 2026. The phenomenon, which will occur shortly before sunset and has not been visible in the archipelago for over [number of] years of astronomical observation, is expected to draw an extraordinary influx of visitors, scientists, and enthusiasts. In anticipation of this, the Balearic Government has decided to preempt potential organizational chaos and has approved the creation of the Commission for the Management of Actions Related to the 2026 Total Eclipse, a cross-cutting, collegiate body that will coordinate all actions linked to the event. The agreement was adopted by the Governing Council at its session of December 12, 2025, and will come into effect the day after its publication in the Official Gazette of the Balearic Islands (BOIB). An astronomical phenomenon with an impact far beyond the sky

The eclipse is not only an exceptional scientific event, but also a major logistical challenge. Mobility, public safety, civil protection, natural space management, institutional communication, and scientific outreach are just some of the areas that will be affected. The Government acknowledges that the international appeal of the phenomenon could strain key infrastructure, especially in the middle of August. In this context, the Executive is invoking the broad regional powers granted to it by the Statute of Autonomy—in transport, emergencies, tourism, the environment, research, and civil protection—to justify the need for comprehensive and coordinated planning. The goal is to avoid improvisation and ensure an efficient response to any incidents arising from the eclipse. Institutional coordination and a scientific perspective

The new commission is attached to the Ministry of the Presidency, Coordination of Government Action, and Local Cooperation, and will include representatives from various directorates general, especially those for Emergencies and Interior, Coordination and Local Cooperation, and Communication and Open Government. The involvement of astronomy associations and scientific and outreach organizations is also planned. According to the Government, the body will be responsible for ensuring both the safety and management of large gatherings of people and leveraging the phenomenon as an opportunity for scientific, educational, and tourism promotion of the Islands. The aim is to combine scientific rigor, high-quality outreach, and environmental protection. An exceptional event at a critical time.

The fact that the eclipse will occur before sunset and in the middle of summer increases the complexity of the operation. Natural areas, viewpoints, beaches, and elevated spaces could become mass viewing points, with the consequent environmental and safety risks if not managed properly. With the creation of this commission, the Balearic Government acknowledges that the 2026 eclipse will be much more than an astronomical spectacle: it will be a litmus test for the Balearic Islands' capacity for institutional coordination and for managing an exceptional event in a limited and highly pressured territory.