**Connections: Sports Edition** offers a novel perspective on the well-known [New York Times word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections) aimed at testing sports fans.
In line with the original **Connections**, the challenge lies in finding the “common threads between words.” Similar to **Wordle**, [Connections](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-november-3-2024) updates daily at midnight, with each new puzzle increasingly more challenging. To assist you with today’s challenge, we’ve included some hints and advice below.
If you’re looking for the answer to today’s puzzle immediately, scroll down for the solution to the October 28 **Connections** puzzle. However, if you’d rather attempt it independently, continue reading for clues, strategies, and tips to support you.
### What is Connections: Sports Edition?
The **NYT**’s newest daily word game, developed in partnership with **The Athletic**, a sports publication owned by the New York Times, has launched. [Connections](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-february-21-2024) can be enjoyed on both web browsers and mobile devices. The aim is to categorize four words that share a common theme.
Each puzzle encompasses 16 words, organized into four categories. These categories can include anything from book titles to software brands, country names, and beyond. Many words may appear to fit together, but only one right solution exists for each grouping.
When a player successfully identifies a set of four words, those words are eliminated from the board. Conversely, an incorrect guess counts as a mistake, and players are permitted a maximum of four mistakes before the game concludes.
To simplify the process, players can rearrange the board. Each group is marked by colors, with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Similar to **Wordle**, players can share their outcomes on social media.
### Here’s a hint for today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories
Need a hint without giving away the categories? Here are some clues:
– **Yellow**: Football players
– **Green**: Amusing school names
– **Blue**: Schools of the recent top picks
– **Purple**: Mighty words
### Today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories
Looking for a bit more guidance? Here are today’s categories:
– **Yellow**: Soccer roles
– **Green**: Universities with vibrant nicknames
– **Blue**: Alma maters of the last four NFL No. 1 draft selections
– **Purple**: Power _____
### What is the answer to today’s Connections: Sports Edition?
Ready for the answer? Here it is:
– **Soccer roles**: GOALKEEPER, MIDFIELDER, SWEEPER, WINGER
– **Universities with vibrant nicknames**: STANFORD, SYRACUSE, TULANE, TULSA
– **Alma maters of last 4 NFL No. 1 selections**: ALABAMA, CLEMSON, GEORGIA, USC
– **Power ____**: FORWARD, HITTER, LIFTER, PLAY
Don’t fret if you couldn’t solve it this time—there’s always tomorrow’s **Connections** puzzle to stimulate your mind, and we’ll return with more hints and strategies to help you.
Interested in more puzzles? [Mashable’s got games!](https://games.mashable.com/) Visit our [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and additional games.
Missed yesterday’s puzzle? [Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-november-3)