**Connections: Sports Edition – A Fresh Challenge for Sports Aficionados**
*Connections: Sports Edition* is the newest spin-off of the acclaimed [New York Times word game](https://www.nytimes.com/games/connections), specifically crafted to challenge the knowledge of sports fans.
Similar to the original *Connections*, the gameplay involves uncovering “common connections among words.” In a manner akin to *Wordle*, the puzzle refreshes daily at midnight, with each subsequent challenge increasing in difficulty. If you find yourself in a bind, don’t fret—we’ve compiled some helpful tips and hints just for you.
If you’re just seeking today’s solution, scroll down to the conclusion of this article. But if you wish to tackle it independently, keep reading for techniques and clues to assist you.
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### What Is *Connections: Sports Edition*?
The *New York Times* has teamed up with *The Athletic*, its sports-centered entity, to introduce this new rendition of the daily word game. Accessible on both web browsers and mobile platforms, *Connections: Sports Edition* invites players to categorize four words that share a common thread.
Each puzzle features 16 words, split into four distinct categories. These categories can range from book titles to sports franchises, or even varieties of equipment. Even though multiple words may appear to fit together, there’s only one correct set for each grouping.
Upon successfully identifying a group of four connected words, those words are removed from the board. However, incorrect guesses are counted as errors, with players limited to four mistakes per game.
To assist players, there’s an option to shuffle the board and rearrange the words. Additionally, each group is color-coded by level of difficulty: yellow is the simplest, followed by green, blue, and purple. And just like *Wordle*, you can share your outcomes with friends on social media.
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### Tips for Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
In need of a hint without revealing the answer? Here’s a preview of today’s categories:
– **Yellow**: Terms for excelling in sports
– **Green**: Individual skills
– **Blue**: Professional speed racers
– **Purple**: Teams that compete on the field
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Categories
Still looking for assistance? Here are today’s categories disclosed:
– **Yellow**: **Synonyms for athleticism**
– **Green**: **MLB teams in singular format**
– **Blue**: **Champions of the NASCAR Cup Series**
– **Purple**: **Final words of Premier League teams**
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### Today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* Solution
Prepared for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back if you want to solve the puzzle on your own.
Drumroll, please!
The solution to today’s *Connections: Sports Edition* #74 is:
– **Synonyms for athleticism**: **ENERGETIC, MUSCULAR, POWERFUL, STRONG**
– **MLB teams in singular format**: **ATHLETIC, MARLIN, ROYAL, TWIN**
– **Champions of the NASCAR Cup Series**: **EARNHARDT, GORDON, JOHNSON, PETTY**
– **Final words of Premier League teams**: **ALBION, FOREST, HAM, PALACE**
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### Don’t Be Disheartened If You Missed It
If you didn’t solve today’s puzzle, don’t feel down! A fresh *Connections* challenge will arrive tomorrow, and we’ll be here with additional hints and solutions to support you.
Searching for other games to enjoy? Visit [Mashable’s games hub](https://games.mashable.com/) for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crosswords, and more.
Interested in trying another NYT puzzle? [Here’s the solution to today’s *Wordle*.](https://mashable.com/article/wordle-today-answer-december-6-2024)
Missed yesterday’s *Connections*? [Locate the solution here.](https://mashable.com/article/nyt-connections-hint-answer-today-december-6)
Enjoy puzzling!