NYT Connections Sports Version: Clues and Solutions for January 9, 2026

Today’s Connections: Sports Edition will be simpler if you have knowledge of west coast universities.

This is an adaptation of the widely enjoyed New York Times word game that assesses the knowledge of sports enthusiasts.

Much like the original Connections, this game emphasizes discovering “common links among words.” Comparable to Wordle, Connections refreshes each day at midnight, with every new batch of words increasing in difficulty — which is why we’ve included some hints and strategies to assist you.

If you’re only interested in the answer to today’s puzzle, feel free to skip to the end of this article. However, if you prefer to solve it on your own, keep reading for suggestions, tips, and tactics.

SEE ALSO:

Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Engage in games on Mashable

What is Connections: Sports Edition?

The NYT‘s newest daily word game, launched in collaboration with The Athletic, a property of the New York Times, delivers sports insights. Connections can be played on web browsers and mobile devices, requiring players to categorize four words that share a commonality.

Each puzzle contains 16 words arranged into four groups. These categories could range from book titles to software names or country designations. While several words may appear to fit together, only one is correct.

If a player accurately identifies all four words in a group, they are eliminated from the game board. An incorrect guess is counted as a mistake — players are allowed a maximum of four errors before the game concludes.

Players can rotate and shuffle the board to identify connections more easily. Each group is color-coded, with yellow being the simplest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Similar to Wordle, you can share your findings with friends on social media.

SEE ALSO:

Wordle fan? These are the finest word games to enjoy in real life.

Here’s a clue for today’s Connections: Sports Edition categories

Looking for a hint regarding the categories without actually being given the categories?