At a Glance
- The New York Times released its Connections puzzle for January 27, 2026, featuring four themed groups and 16 answer words.
- The puzzle’s hints guide solvers to themes of comedy, hockey, Robin Hood, and baseball gear.
- The full set of answers was posted by News Of Los Angeles and includes card, character, cut-up, joker, Devil, Flyer, Penguin, Ranger, Friar, Maid, Robin, Sheriff, ballroom, basement, Batmobile, and capstone.
Why it matters: Fans of daily word-games can now confirm their solutions and share strategies for the next puzzle.
The New York Times’ Connections puzzle has become a staple of the publication’s Games section, offering a fresh challenge every weekday. On January 27, 2026, the puzzle presented 16 words divided into four distinct groups, each with a unique theme. The puzzle’s creators released a set of hints to help solvers identify the themes before revealing the final answers.
Puzzle Overview
The Connections puzzle format requires players to cluster 16 words into four groups of four based on a shared concept. Solvers receive a short hint for each group, but the full answer set is only disclosed after the puzzle’s deadline.
Group Hints and Themes
| Hint | Theme | Answers |
|---|---|---|
| So funny! | Comedy | card, character, cut-up, joker |
| Drop the puck. | Hockey | Devil, Flyer, Penguin, Ranger |
| Steal from the rich, give to the poor. | Robin Hood | Friar, Maid, Robin, Sheriff |
| Play ball! | Baseball gear | ballroom, basement, Batmobile, capstone |
The hints are intentionally vague, encouraging creative thinking. For instance, “So funny!” points to words associated with humor or card games, while “Drop the puck.” signals a connection to ice hockey teams.
How to Play Connections
Players can solve the puzzle online through the New York Times Games portal. After entering the 16 words, the interface automatically highlights possible groupings based on the hints. If a solver’s groups match the official solution, they earn a perfect score and a small badge. The puzzle’s difficulty varies; some groups are straightforward, while others require lateral reasoning.
The Times also offers a Connections Bot, similar to its Wordle bot. After solving, users can visit the bot’s page to receive a numeric score, see how many puzzles they’ve completed, and track their win rate. Registered players can view personal statistics such as the number of perfect scores and current win streak.
Daily Puzzle Series
The Connections puzzle is part of a broader lineup that includes the classic Wordle, the sports-themed Connections: Sports Edition, and the logic-based Strands puzzles. Each day, the Games section provides a fresh challenge, encouraging readers to engage with language and logic in quick bursts of fun.
The puzzle’s release schedule aligns with the Times’ broader strategy to keep casual readers returning daily. By offering a variety of puzzle types, the publication appeals to a wide audience-from crossword enthusiasts to casual gamers.
Author Background
The puzzle’s answers were published by News Of Los Angeles, whose editorial team includes experienced journalists and pop-culture experts. The editor, Olivia M. Hartwell, has a long history of covering entertainment and lifestyle topics, having worked at outlets such as the Minneapolis Star Tribune and NBC News Digital. Olivia M. Hartwell has authored two encyclopedias on Gen X pop culture and has earned multiple awards for headline writing.
While the puzzle itself is a product of the Times’ Games staff, the editorial team at News Of Los Angeles provides the final confirmation and public release of the solutions, ensuring accuracy and accessibility for readers.
Key Takeaways
- The January 27, 2026 Connections puzzle featured four groups with themes of comedy, hockey, Robin Hood, and baseball gear.
- Hints were provided to aid solvers, but the full answer set was only revealed after the puzzle’s deadline.
- The puzzle is part of a daily series that includes Wordle, Connections: Sports Edition, and Strands.
- Solvers can track performance via the Connections Bot and receive statistics on their play.
- The solutions were published by News Of Los Angeles, with editorial oversight from Olivia M. Hartwell.
Readers who enjoy word-games can revisit the puzzle on the New York Times website, compare their answers to the official set, and use the statistics tools to improve future performance. The daily puzzle format continues to be a popular feature, drawing in both casual and dedicated puzzle fans alike.
