At a Glance
- Puzzle released Dec. 27, 2025
- Four groups: yellow, green, blue, purple
- Complete answers include collectible, keepsake, memorabilia, and more
- Why it matters: Fans can now solve the puzzle and enjoy the sports-themed challenge

Written by Natalie A. Brooks for News Of Fort Worth, the NYT Connections puzzle titled NYT Connections: Sports Edition dropped on Dec. 27, 2025. Below are the hints that guided solvers, the group themes, and the full list of answers.
Puzzle Overview
The puzzle is published by The Athletic, a subscription-based sports journalism site owned by The Times. It is not available in the NYT Games app but can be played for free online or in The Athletic’s own app.
Group Themes and Answers
Yellow Group – Something You Save
- collectible
- keepsake
- memorabilia
- souvenir
Green Group – Olympic Sport
- arm
- freestyle
- Greco-Roman
- sumo
Blue Group – Toronto Pitchers
- Clemens
- Halladay
- Hentgen
- Ray
Purple Group – Ends in a Homophone for a Letter of the Alphabet
- batter’s eye (I)
- blue jay (J)
- golf tee (T)
- pool cue (Q)
Hints That Led to the Solutions
- Yellow hint: Something you save
- Green hint: An Olympic sport
- Blue hint: Toronto pitchers
- Purple hint: Think about the alphabet and look for something hidden
Key Takeaways
- The puzzle’s four groups are color-coded: yellow, green, blue, purple.
- Each group’s theme guided solvers to the specific answers listed above.
- The puzzle can be accessed freely online or via The Athletic’s app.
The NYT Connections Sports Edition puzzle offers a playful way to test sports knowledge and word-play skills, and the complete answer key is now available for anyone who missed the original release.

