*Connections: Sports Edition* is a fresh variation of the well-known *New York Times* word game intended to test sports fans. Like the original *Connections*, the game revolves around spotting “common themes among words.” As with *Wordle*, *Connections* refreshes at midnight, with each new collection of words becoming increasingly challenging—hence, we’ve included some hints and guidance to assist you.
If you seek today’s puzzle answer, feel free to jump to the conclusion of this article. Otherwise, carry on for hints, advice, and tactics.
**What is Connections Sports Edition?**
The *NYT*’s newest daily word game, introduced alongside *The Athletic*, entails arranging four words that share a common characteristic. *Connections* is available on both web browsers and mobile platforms.
Each puzzle displays 16 words segmented into four groups. These groups can encompass anything from book titles to software or country names. While several words may appear related, there is only one accurate solution.
Successfully pinpointing all four words in a group eliminates them from the board. Incorrect selections are counted as errors, and players are permitted up to four mistakes before the game concludes.
Players can rearrange and shuffle the board to better identify connections. Each group is color-coded: yellow is the simplest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Similar to *Wordle*, results can be shared on social media.
**Here’s a hint for today’s Connections Sports Edition categories**
In search of category hints without giving anything away? Consider these:
– **Yellow:** Cool metrics
– **Green:** Regionally specific
– **Blue:** Receiver destinations
– **Purple:** Contextually defined
**Here are today’s Connections Sports Edition categories**
Need additional assistance? Today’s connections are organized as follows:
– **Yellow:** Hockey statistics
– **Green:** Southern California teams
– **Blue:** Teams Jerry Rice played for
– **Purple:** What “cut” could signify
Hoping to find today’s *Wordle*? [Here’s the answer to today’s Wordle.](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-july-25-2025)
Ready for the answers? This is your final opportunity to conquer today’s puzzle before we disclose the solutions.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today’s *Connections Sports Edition* #305 is…
– Hockey statistics – **GOALS, PENALTY MINUTES, PLUS/MINUS, SHOTS**
– Southern California teams – **ANGELS, CLIPPERS, DUCKS, SPARKS**
– Teams Jerry Rice played for – **49ERS, MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE, RAIDERS, SEAHAWKS**
– What “cut” could imply – **CHANGE DIRECTION, GASH, RELEASE, SWING**
Don’t be discouraged if you missed it this time. New *Connections* puzzles will be released tomorrow, and we’ll return with more useful hints.
Also participating in NYT Strands? [See hints and answers for today’s Strands.](https://mashable.com/article/strands-nyt-hint-july-25-2025)
If you’re in search of additional puzzles, Mashable has games now! Explore our [games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you’re after? [Here’s the solution to yesterday’s Connections.](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-july-25-2025)