Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle #486 is dated Thursday, January 22, 2026. The hints below offer a spoiler-light nudge first; the full four category names and all 16 answers follow after a warning. This is a past puzzle, not the current day’s grid.
Hints for Connections: Sports Edition #486
Connections asks players to sort 16 words into four groups of four that share a common link. The New York Times Help Center says the groups are marked yellow, green, blue, and purple, from easiest to trickiest.
Try these prompts before reading the category names:
- Yellow: Think of someone who is not lazy.
- Green: Pete Carroll is another example.
- Blue: Think about what you might turn on to watch.
- Purple: Look for hidden team names.
Answers for January 22, 2026
Spoilers below: The following list reveals every category and tile grouping.
Recommended Free Tools
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
Professor PUZZLE Ultimate Sports Trivia - 300 Quiz Questions for Sports Fanatics
- Ultimate sports trivia. 300 sports quiz questions for the sports fanatic by Professor Puzzle.
- Consider yourself a sports know-it-all? Test & develop your sports trivia knowledge with 300 questions across 3 categories of difficulty.Consider yourself a sports know-it-all? Test & develop your sports trivia knowledge with 300 questions across 3 categories of difficulty.
- Set contains: 300 cards with 300 questions.
- Part of Professor Trivia collection - A collection of fun, unique trivia quiz games/party games.
| Color | Category | Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow | An energetic person | DYNAMO, FIREBALL, GO-GETTER, SPARK PLUG |
| Green | Head coaches who won a Super Bowl | DON SHULA, JOHN MADDEN, MIKE TOMLIN, SEAN PAYTON |
| Blue | Former ESPN shows | AROUND THE HORN, DREAM JOB, PLAYMAKERS, STUMP THE SCHWAB |
| Purple | Ends in an NBA team, in singular form | EMPTY NET, JOE BUCK, THE YANKEE CLIPPER, TONY HAWK |
How the trickiest group works
The purple category is a wordplay connection: each phrase ends with a singular form of an NBA team name—Net, Buck, Clipper, or Hawk. The other groups rely on familiar meanings, Super Bowl-winning head coaches, and past ESPN programming.
Can you replay this puzzle on the official site?
The NYT Help Center lists the web, The Athletic site and app, and the NYT News App as places to play Sports Edition. It also says Sports Edition does not have an archive. That means a dated third-party answer guide can document a past grid, but it does not establish that the official game offers replay access to it.
Quick Recap
SaleBestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 3
Rank #4
Skillmatics Guess in 10 Trivia Card Game – Sports, Gift for Boys & Girls
- ULTIMATE GUESSING GAME: Divide yourselves up in teams, or play one on one, ask up to 10 questions to guess the sport on the Game Card! Is it played in teams? Is it an outdoor sport? Is it an Olympic sport? Think hard, ask intelligent questions, use your clue cards wisely, and be the first player to win 7 Game Cards!
- STRATEGIZE YOUR WAY TO VICTORY: Make use of exciting features such as Clue Cards & Bonus Questions to plan your way to winning 7 cards
- PLAY IT ANY TIME ANY PLACE: Includes 50 Game Cards, 6 Clue Cards and a handy box to store it all. The box is portable & travel friendly. Your child can become an instant champion by playing at family game nights, gatherings, outdoor parties, birthdays, road trips, play dates, plane trips, summer camps and more!
- PERFECT GIFT: Makes the perfect gift for boys, girls, parents, adults, friends, families as well as any board game or card game lover.
- FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY: This is the most exciting game you’ll find for Family Game Night that can be thoroughly enjoyed by all ages 6 and up!
Rank #3
MasterPieces Family Game - NFL Trivia Challenge Card Game - Officially Licensed Game for Kids & Adults
- Each trivia card contains 5 questions
- If a player answers a question correctly, they get to keep the card
- The player with the most cards at the end wins
- Includes 50 trivia cards with 250 team-specific questions
- Recommended for ages 12 and up
Rank #2
Sale
Brass Monkey Weird Sports – Trivia Card Game Set with 200 Unique Questions About Weird Sports Facts
- TRIVIA - The Weird Sports Trivia from Brass Monkey has the quirkiest facts and anecdotes from the wide world of athletics. From obscure sports origins to bizarre records, each trivia card will have even the most professional sports enthusiasts questionng their athletic history. We think trivia should be fun and not feel like a homework assignment. That’s why we’ve filled ours with as many weird and obscure sports facts as we could find…and even better, you’ll choose questions from a bunch of misleading categories. For example: “Riding the Pine” - which are questions about log rolling.
- INCLUDES - Suitable for 2 to 8 (or more) players, it's the ultimate test of sports knowledge - weird edition. Inside, you'll find 200 unique trivia cards, each packed with bizarre facts and unexpected tidbits from the world of sports. But wait, there's more! We've also included an instruction sheet with three different ways to play – so whether you're feeling like a trivia whiz or just looking for a casual laugh, there's a game mode for you.
- GREAT FOR PARTIES - Picture this: a room filled with laughter, cheers, and maybe even a few raised eyebrows as players go headfirst into the world of weird sports trivia. It's the perfect icebreaker, sparking lively conversations and friendly competition among guests of all ages. With its flexible gameplay, everyone can join in on the fun. Plus, with 200 unique trivia cards themed around sports, there's never a dull moment. So grab the weird sports trivia deck, gather your crew, and let the games begin—because when it comes to party entertainment, this trivia game takes the gold!
- PERFECT FOR GIFTING - Let us tell you why "Weird Sports Trivia" makes an awesome gift. It's not your typical run-of-the-mill sports stuff. This is like walking into the secret underworld of sports, where the bizarre and the downright wacky reign supreme. It's for the folks who like their trivia with a side of weird and their sports with a twist. So if you want to gift something that'll have them laughing, scratching their heads, and maybe even rethinking what they thought they knew about sports, then this is it.
- BRASS MONKEY - We bridge the gap between kitschy roadside souvenirs and elegant fine china, offering a curated collection of well-designed products infused with a delightful sense of humor. Our mission is to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary, crafting items that seamlessly blend functionality with whimsy. From quirky guides to stylish essentials, we specialize in creating must-have treasures that add joy and personality to everyday life.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
