NYT Connections Sports Version: Clues and Solutions for June 16, 2025

Connections: Sports Edition is a fresh iteration of the beloved New York Times word game aimed at putting sports enthusiasts to the test.

Like the original Connections, the game emphasizes discovering “common threads amongst words.” Similarly to Wordle, Connections resets after midnight, with every new set of words becoming increasingly difficult—therefore, we offer some hints and tips to assist you.

If you’re looking for today’s puzzle answer, skip to the end of this article. Otherwise, keep reading for clues, tips, and techniques to support you.

SEE ALSO:

Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword puzzles, and more: Enjoy games on Mashable

What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT‘s newest daily word challenge is introduced in partnership with The Athletic, the New York Times entity for sports reporting. Connections is playable on web browsers and mobile devices, requiring players to group four words that share a commonality.

Every puzzle consists of 16 words, categorized into four groups. These sets can range from book titles to software names or country identities. While several words might appear to fit, there is only one right answer.

If a player accurately identifies all four words in a group, those words are eliminated from the board. An incorrect guess is counted as a mistake—players are allowed up to four mistakes before the game concludes.

Players have the option to rearrange and shuffle the board to detect connections more efficiently. Each group is color-coded: yellow is the most straightforward, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, results can be shared with friends on social media.

Here’s a hint for today’s Connections Sports Edition categories

Need a hint regarding the categories without revealing them? Consider these:

  • Yellow: Scoreless

  • Green: Midwest college towns

  • Blue: Golf

  • Purple: Major names behind the plate

<div id="related-video" class="mx-auto mt-8 mb-12 w-full max-w-3xl font-sans md:mt-12 md:mb-16 text-primary-