**Connections: Sports Edition – A Fresh Challenge for Sports Aficionados**
*Connections: Sports Edition* takes a novel approach to the beloved [New York Times word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections), meticulously crafted to challenge the knowledge of sports fans.
Similar to the original *Connections*, this game focuses on discovering “common threads among words.” Like *Wordle*, [*Connections*](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-december-7-2024) resets daily at midnight, with each new puzzle designed to ramp up in difficulty. To aid you in solving these puzzles, we’ve gathered some tips and tactics to assist you.
If you’re seeking today’s answer, scroll down to the bottom of this article. However, if you prefer to conquer it independently, continue reading for insights and hints to support you on your journey.
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### What Is *Connections: Sports Edition*?
The *New York Times* has collaborated with *The Athletic*, its sports-oriented brand, to unveil this daily word game. [*Connections*](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-february-21-2024) is accessible on both web browsers and mobile platforms. What’s the goal? Organize four words that share a thematic link.
Each puzzle comprises 16 words, categorized into four groups. These groups can include anything from book titles to country names or software. Although numerous words might appear compatible, there’s exclusively one correct grouping for each collection.
When players successfully pinpoint a set of four, those terms are eliminated from the board. However, incorrect guesses accumulate as errors, and players are allowed a maximum of four errors before the game concludes.
To simplify matters, players can shuffle the board to identify connections more easily. Each category is assigned a color based on difficulty: yellow (easiest), green, blue, and purple (most difficult). Additionally, akin to *Wordle*, you can share your results with friends on social media.
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### Hints for Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
In need of a little encouragement? Here are some clues for today’s categories:
– **Yellow:** Key statistics in hockey
– **Green:** Sports categories for summer gold medals
– **Blue:** Nations that have hosted a significant sports event
– **Purple:** The triad principle in sports
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
If you require further assistance, here are the specific categories for today:
– **Yellow:** Hockey statistics
– **Green:** Sports featured in the Summer Olympics
– **Blue:** The last four Men’s World Cup host nations
– **Purple:** Scenarios or actions that involve a trio of something
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Solution
Ready to discover the answers? This is your last chance to look away if you’d like to solve the puzzle on your own!
Drumroll, please…
The solution for *Connections: Sports Edition* #79 is:
– **Hockey statistics:** ASSISTS, GOALS, PLUS/MINUS, SAVES
– **Summer Olympic sports:** FENCING, GOLF, HANDBALL, ROWING
– **Last four Men’s World Cup hosts:** BRAZIL, QATAR, RUSSIA, SOUTH AFRICA
– **Events or plays that involve three of something:** HAT TRICK, STRIKEOUT, TRIATHLON, TURKEY
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### No Worries If You Didn’t Crack It
If you didn’t solve today’s puzzle, don’t be disheartened—there’s always tomorrow! A new *Connections* puzzle will be ready for you to sharpen your skills, and we’ll return with additional hints and answers to assist you.
In search of more games? Visit [Mashable’s games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.
Want to explore something else? [Here’s today’s Wordle answer](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-december-11-2024) or dive into hints and solutions for *NYT Strands* [here](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-december-11).
Happy puzzling!