Here are spoiler-light hints for NYT Connections: Sports Edition #476, which ran Monday, January 12, 2026. Start with the four cues below; the category names and all 16 answers are farther down.
Hints for Connections Sports Edition #476
Use these clues to work out the four groups before opening the answer key:
- Yellow: Olympics.
- Green: 2009 Super Bowl winners.
- Blue: A specific QB.
- Purple: City by the Bay.
How to solve the puzzle
Connections: Sports Edition is a sports-focused version of Connections, developed through a New York Times and The Athletic partnership. Parade describes the daily grid as 16 words that must be sorted into four groups of four, following the NYT instruction to “group sports terms that share a common thread.”
For this grid, the clues point toward an Olympic event set, Steelers references, items connected to quarterback C.J. Stroud, and several possible meanings of the initials “SF.” The last clue is intentionally broad: its answers come from different sports contexts, rather than one team or league.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Spoiler warning: category names and answers
The groups and word assignments below follow Parade’s January 12 guide.
Yellow — Decathlon events
- 100 METERS
- DISCUS
- LONG JUMP
- SHOT PUT
Green — Associated with the Pittsburgh Steelers
- BLACK AND YELLOW
- IMMACULATE RECEPTION
- RENEGADE
- TERRIBLE TOWELS
Blue — Associated with C.J. Stroud
- NO. 2 PICK
- OHIO STATE
- ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- TEXANS
Purple — What “SF” might refer to
- 49ERS
- SACRIFICE FLY
- SEMIFINAL
- SMALL FORWARD
Why some answer lists differ
Swikblog lists the same 16 terms but assigns SACRIFICE FLY to the Steelers group, SMALL FORWARD to the C.J. Stroud group, and SEMIFINAL to another category. Parade’s guide assigns all three to “What ‘SF’ might refer to.” Yahoo Sports republished Parade’s guide with the same mapping; because it credits Parade, it is not an independent answer-key confirmation. The official NYT game page was not directly verified for this puzzle, so this key follows Parade’s dated guide rather than combining competing assignments.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TRIVIA SET – Expand your little one’s knowledge of all things sports with this Sports Trivia quiz card set from Petit Collage.
- IDEAL CHILDREN’S GIFT – Suitable for ages 5+, this trivia set encourages kids to learn about a wide variety of sports.
- PLAY & DEVELOPMENT – Start expanding young minds with 50 fun question-and-answer cards that will surprise and delight. The set includes some multiple-choice and true-or-false questions, too, making the game accessible to varying levels of ability.
- PLAY & DEVELOPMENT – Start expanding young minds with 50 fun question-and-answer cards that will surprise and delight. The set includes some multiple-choice and true-or-false questions, too, making the game accessible to varying levels of ability.
- PETIT COLLAGE – Petit Collage is all about good design. We combine a modern aesthetic with environmentally conscious manufacturing to create bold, thoughtful products to delight little ones. We strive to make our products beautiful and fun in equal measure.
Rank #4
- ULTIMATE FOOTBALL EXPERIENCE: Dive into the NFL Gameday board game, perfect for football enthusiasts. Enjoy strategic gameplay that brings the excitement of the field to your tabletop.
- FAMILY FUN FOR ALL: Designed for up to four players, this NFL board game is ideal for family game nights. Suitable for adults and kids, it offers engaging play for everyone.
- STRATEGIC PLAY: Test your skills with this NFL football board game. Plan your moves carefully to outsmart opponents and score touchdowns, making it a thrilling experience.
- PORTABLE DESIGN: With compact dimensions of 9.5 inches, this NFL game day board is easy to store and transport. Take it to gatherings or play at home for endless fun.
- SAFE AND DURABLE: Made from high-quality plastic, this NFL board game is built to last. It includes small parts, so it's recommended for ages twelve and up.
Rank #3
- FUN PARTY GAME: American Trivia features two-sided cards, with 1,000 questions that cover five categories: Geography, History, Pop Culture, Sports, and General trivia. Making this a great party game that can be played by a wide range of ages.
- PLAY AND LEARN: Are you looking for an entertaining way to learn about the good ‘ole USA? Playing the American Trivia Game, you will learn about historical landmarks, tourist spots, famous people, and the pop culture that has forged this great country.
- BENEFITS: Playing trivia games can help improve cognitive skills and expand your knowledge. Learn something new or sharpen your skills, our game offers both easy and challenging questions making it fun for tweens and adults.
- INCLUDES: 100 Double-Sided Cards (1,000 Questions), (1) Score Pad, (1) Pencil, and Instructions.
Rank #2
- 🏀 Exciting Card Game with 300 Pro Basketball Trivia Questions!
- 🏀🏀 Questions span from 1980s up until 2025! True fans will be challenged and thrilled!
- 🏀🏀🏀 Play with 2 friends for a 1-on-1 showdown or up to 10 players for an epic basketball trivia battle.
- 🏀🏀🏀🏀 You can finally prove to your friends who knows more about the league!
- 🏀🏀🏀🏀🏀 If you like basketball then you will love this challenging trivia game!
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.
