Sports Connections Hints: Jan 29, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jan 29, 2026 (2026-01-29). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #701

Puzzle #701 · 2026-01-29 · 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 #701 for 2026-01-29, 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: CHESS PIECES, GYMNASTICS TERMS, PREMIER LEAGUE GOLDEN BOOT WINNERS 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.

CHESS PIECES
GYMNASTICS TERMS
PREMIER LEAGUE GOLDEN BOOT WINNERS
WATER _____

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.

CHESS PIECES

ROOK

BISHOP

QUEEN

PAWN

GYMNASTICS TERMS

ROUND-OFF

HANDSPRING

TWIST

SALTO

PREMIER LEAGUE GOLDEN BOOT WINNERS

HAALAND

SALAH

SON

KANE

WATER _____

POLO

BOTTLE

HAZARD

BOY

Reveal full answer

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