Sports Connections Hints: Jan 9, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jan 9, 2026 (2026-01-09). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #681

Puzzle #681 · 2026-01-09 · sports

Step through today’s Connections hints

Start with broad themes, then reveal more detail about the groups and tiles only when you need it. The final button shows today's full group breakdown.

Puzzle reference: Connections #681 for 2026-01-09, edition sports, with a standard four-group board. Spoiler categories and tiles stay collapsed until you open the hint layers below.

Hint 1 – overall theme

There are 4 groups in today’s puzzle.

Themes include: NFL PLAYOFF ROUNDS, JUMPING ABILITY, NBA ARENAS and 1 more.

Hint 2 – group titles

Here are the category names for each group. Try matching the tiles in the official game to these themes before you reveal any tiles.

NFL PLAYOFF ROUNDS
JUMPING ABILITY
NBA ARENAS
_____ DEVILS

Hint 3 – group tiles

Reveal the tiles for each group. If you only want a partial nudge, stop after reading one or two groups and go back to the official puzzle.

NFL PLAYOFF ROUNDS

WILD CARD

DIVISIONAL

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

SUPER BOWL

JUMPING ABILITY

UPS

HOPS

BOUNCE

BUNNIES

NBA ARENAS

FEDEX

SCOTIABANK

DELTA

SPECTRUM

_____ DEVILS

NEW JERSEY

SUN

BLUE

RED

Reveal full answer

This is the full breakdown of today's Connections puzzle: group titles and all tiles, grouped together.