Sports Connections Hints: May 23, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on May 23, 2026 (2026-05-23). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #827

Puzzle #827 · 2026-05-23 · 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 #827 for 2026-05-23, 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: DEFEAT SOUNDLY, A MISSOURI ATHLETE, BIG TEN FOOTBALL COACHES 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.

DEFEAT SOUNDLY
A MISSOURI ATHLETE
BIG TEN FOOTBALL COACHES
_____ LINE

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.

DEFEAT SOUNDLY

CRUSH

PASTE

SHELLAC

ROUT

A MISSOURI ATHLETE

BLUE

ROYAL

CHIEF

CARDINAL

BIG TEN FOOTBALL COACHES

CIGNETTI

DAY

RHULE

FICKELL

_____ LINE

CUT

FINISH

BASE

MENDOZA

Reveal full answer

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