At a Glance
- NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle drops on Jan. 21, 2026 and tests fans with four themed groups.
- The puzzle is hosted by The Athletic, not the NYT Games app, but can be played online for free.
- Four groups: yellow (victory), green (W-teams), blue (college nicknames), purple (sack leaders).
- Why it matters: Solving it unlocks bragging rights for sports trivia buffs.
The NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle launched on Jan. 21, 2026 as part of The Athletic’s new puzzle series. The game invites players to match words into four groups, each with its own theme. Though the puzzle is part of the New York Times brand, it does not appear in the NYT Games app; instead, it is available in The Athletic’s app or as a free online game.
The puzzle’s structure follows a classic Connections format. Players are given 16 words and must divide them into four groups of four. Each group shares a common clue that hints at the theme. The challenge lies in deciphering the clues and spotting the subtle wordplay.
Group Hints and Themes
| Group | Hint | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | “Don’t lose!” | Victory |
| Green | “Double you.” | Pro teams whose names start with W |
| Blue | “Slang for certain sports teams.” | Colloquial nicknames for college teams |
| Purple | “Meet at the quarterback.” | Players with 20-plus sacks in a season |
The yellow group’s clue, “Don’t lose!”, points to victory-related terms. The words that fit are dub, triumph, W, and win. Each of these words can be associated with winning or victory.
The green group’s clue, “Double you.”, is a play on the letter “W”. The four pro teams that start with W are Warriors, White Sox, Wild, and Wizards. These are all Major League teams spanning basketball, baseball, hockey, and basketball again.
For the blue group, the clue “Slang for certain sports teams.” leads to informal nicknames used for college teams. The four answers are Cats, Hoos, Vols, and Zags-all common shorthand for the University of Alabama, Indiana University, University of Tennessee, and the University of Wyoming, respectively.
The purple group’s clue, “Meet at the quarterback.”, references a position in American football. The answers are Garrett, Houston, Ware, and Watt, all of whom have recorded 20 or more sacks in a single season.
Toughest Categories
While the main puzzle is challenging, the author also highlights some of the toughest categories in Connections. These are:
| Category | Answers |
|---|---|
| Serie A Clubs | Atalanta, Juventus, Lazio, Roma |
| WNBA MVPs | Catchings, Delle Donne, Fowles, Stewart |
| Premier League team nicknames | Bees, Cherries, Foxes, Hammers |
| Homophones of NBA player names | Barns, Connect, Heart, Hero |
These categories test specific knowledge of football clubs, women’s basketball, English football, and wordplay on player names.
Availability and Access
The puzzle is distributed through two main channels:
- The Athletic’s app – subscribers can play the game within the app’s puzzle section.
- Free online – anyone can visit The Athletic’s website and play without a subscription.
Because it is not part of the NYT Games app, players looking for the puzzle must seek it out on The Athletic’s platform.
Why Fans Should Care
The puzzle’s design rewards players who combine general sports knowledge with a knack for word puzzles. Solving the groups not only earns points but also gives a sense of accomplishment in a niche community. The themes-victory, team names, college nicknames, and sack leaders-cover a broad spectrum of sports culture, making the puzzle appealing to fans of multiple disciplines.
Key Takeaways
- The NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle was released on Jan. 21, 2026.
- It features four groups: victory, W-teams, college nicknames, and sack leaders.
- The puzzle is hosted by The Athletic and is not available in the NYT Games app.
- Players can play for free online or via The Athletic’s app.
- The puzzle’s difficulty is highlighted by the author’s own list of tough categories.
Whether you’re a casual sports fan or a dedicated trivia enthusiast, the puzzle offers a quick but satisfying challenge that showcases the intersection of sports knowledge and wordplay.
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Prepared by Amanda S. Bennett for News Of Los Angeles.
