Get excited—there's another New York Times game to add to your daily routine! Those of us word game addicts who already playWordle,Connections,Strandsand theMini Crosswordnow haveConnections Sports Editionto add to the mix.So, if you're looking for some hints and answers for today's Connections Sports Edition onFriday,January16, 2026, you've come to the right place.
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What Is Connections Sports Edition?
Connections Sports Edition is just like the regular Connections word puzzle, in that it's a game that resets at 12 a.m. EST each day and has 16 different words listed. It's up to you to figure out each group of four words that belong to a certain category, with four categories in total.
This new version is sports-specific, however, as a partnership between The New York Times and The Athletic.
As the NYT site instructs, for Connections Sports Edition, you "group sports terms that share a common thread."
Related:The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You'll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle
Hints for Today's Connections Sports Edition Categories on January 16, 2026
Here are some hints about the four categories to help you figure out the word groupings.
Yellow: Don't get hurt!
Green: Exaggerated language.
Blue: Ouch!
Purple: Not northern.e a Yankee
Here Are Today's Connections Sports Edition Categories
OK, time for a second hint…we'll give you the actual categories now. Spoilers below!
Yellow: PROTECTIVE GEAR
Green: HYPE
Blue: SHARP THINGS
Purple: "SOUTHERN ____" SCHOOLS
If you're looking for the answers, no worries—we've got them below. So, don't scroll any further if you don't want to see the solutions!The answers to today'sConnections Sports Edition #480are coming up next.Related:15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
What Are the Answers to Connections Sports Edition Today?
PROTECTIVE GEAR: GLOVES, HELMET, MOUTH GUARD, SHOULDER PADS
HYPE: ANTICIPATION, BALLYHOO, BUILDUP, BUZZ
SHARP THINGS: DART, HAIRPIN TURN, ICE SKATE, JAVELIN
"SOUTHERN ____" SCHOOLS: CALIFORNIA, ILLINOIS, METHODIST, MISS
Don't worry if you didn't get them this time—we've all been there.
Up next,catch up on the answers to recent Wordle puzzles.
Related: NYT Connections Sports Edition Today: Hints and Answers for Thursday, January 15, 2026
This story was originally published byParadeon Jan 16, 2026, where it first appeared in theLifesection. Add Parade as aPreferred Source by clicking here.
