Sports Connections Hints: Jan 24, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jan 24, 2026 (2026-01-24). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #696

Puzzle #696 · 2026-01-24 · 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 #696 for 2026-01-24, 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: HIT, SPORTS MEMORABILIA, FORMER NHL TEAMS, IN SINGULAR FORM 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.

HIT
SPORTS MEMORABILIA
FORMER NHL TEAMS, IN SINGULAR FORM
ENDS IN A SYNONYM FOR THROW

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.

HIT

DECK

SLUG

PUNCH

STRIKE

SPORTS MEMORABILIA

AUTOGRAPH

JERSEY

POSTER

TRADING CARD

FORMER NHL TEAMS, IN SINGULAR FORM

COYOTE

NORDIQUE

THRASHER

WHALER

ENDS IN A SYNONYM FOR THROW

SURPASS

WOODCHUCK

SHUFFLING

BLOB

Reveal full answer

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

HIT