Sports Connections Hints: May 9, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on May 9, 2026 (2026-05-09). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #802

Puzzle #802 · 2026-05-09 · 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 #802 for 2026-05-09, 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: TERMS USED FOR A YOUNG ATHLETE, A BIG 12 ATHLETE, ARTISTS OF ICONIC STADIUM ANTHEMS 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.

  • TERMS USED FOR A YOUNG ATHLETE
  • A BIG 12 ATHLETE
  • ARTISTS OF ICONIC STADIUM ANTHEMS
  • MEMBERS OF THE SAN DIEGO PADRES

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.

TERMS USED FOR A YOUNG ATHLETE

ROOK
FROSH
PROSPECT
TENDERFOOT

A BIG 12 ATHLETE

KNIGHT
BEARCAT
BUFFALO
COUGAR

ARTISTS OF ICONIC STADIUM ANTHEMS

QUEEN
AC/DC
SURVIVOR
DARUDE

MEMBERS OF THE SAN DIEGO PADRES

KING
TATIS
SHEETS
BOGAERTS

Reveal full answer

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

TERMS USED FOR A YOUNG ATHLETE

ROOK
FROSH
PROSPECT
TENDERFOOT

A BIG 12 ATHLETE

KNIGHT
BEARCAT
BUFFALO
COUGAR

ARTISTS OF ICONIC STADIUM ANTHEMS

QUEEN
AC/DC
SURVIVOR
DARUDE

MEMBERS OF THE SAN DIEGO PADRES

KING
TATIS
SHEETS
BOGAERTS

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