What channel is Brighton v Wolves on? Is it on TV? How to watch, referee, VAR

Wolves host Brighton & Hove Albion at Molineux in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Here we round up what you need to know in how to catch the game on TV.

Newcastle United, Leicester City and Man City joined Coventry City in the quarter-finals after defeating Blackburn Rovers, Bournemouth, Luton Town and Maidstone United respectively on Tuesday night. 

Wolves are one of four games being played with Chelsea hosting Leeds United, Man United playing away at Nottingham Forest and Liverpool taking on Southampton.

The Seagulls have had Wolves’ number for the past few meetings with four victories in their last five meetings. The last match came last month when the two sides played to a goalless draw at the AMEX Stadium. 

Wolves and Brighton play each other in the FA Cup for the first time since January 1979. Wolves won 3-2 that day. Brighton can lay claim to being Wolves’ bogey side and if Wolves are to reach the quarter-finals for the first since 2019 they’ll need to beat a team they haven’t claimed victory over since December 2021. 

Here we round up what you need to know to tune into the game.

When is Wolves versus Brighton?

Wolves versus Brighton will take place on Wednesday, February 18 at Molineux. Kick-off for this one is scheduled for 7.45 pm UK time. 

Is it on TV?

The match has not been chosen for television coverage by either the BBC or ITV but you are able to watch the game legally in the United Kingdom as all fifth round games are being streamed. 

How can I watch the game?

The match will be broadcast on the BBC iPlayer and so should you have an account and a TV Licence, you can watch the match. For those with a television, you can press the red button and the game should appear as an option. BirminghamWorld will be in attendance to cover the match, providing player ratings as well as bringing you post-match reaction from Gary O’Neil.

Where will the highlights be?

There is no highlights show for the fifth round ties. Individual highlights of all eight games will be shown on BBC iPlayer however. The FA Cup Twitter page will be uploading the goals and key moments as they go in. 

Will VAR be in operation for Wolves versus Brighton in the FA Cup?

Quite simply, yes. Premier League clubs are licenced to have VAR and so those at Stockley Park will be able to assist with any refereeing decisions in the game. Anthony Taylor will be the VAR official for the match and he will be assisted by John Brooks and Simon Bennett.

Who is the referee? 

His last Wolves game was Wolves' 3-2 win over Brentford in the FA Cup back in January. He has done three Wolves games this season, beginning with the 4-1 defeat to Brighton in which Matheus Nunes was red carded. He was in charge for Wolves' 3-2 win over Brentford in the Premier League on December 27 before overseeing the FA Cup clash too. His other Brighton game this season was the 6-1 defeat to Wolves’ Midlands rivals Aston Villa at the end of September.