Sports Connections Hints: Jul 20, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jul 20, 2026 (2026-07-20). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #953

Puzzle #953 · 2026-07-20 · 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 #953 for 2026-07-20, 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 FOR COMPETITIONS, TYPES OF GLOVES, PLAYERS BROWNS HAVE DRAFTED NO. 1 OVERALL 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 FOR COMPETITIONS
TYPES OF GLOVES
PLAYERS BROWNS HAVE DRAFTED NO. 1 OVERALL
_____ QUARTERBACK

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 FOR COMPETITIONS

CUP

INVITATIONAL

TOURNAMENT

SERIES

TYPES OF GLOVES

BOXING

BASEBALL

BATTING

GOALKEEPER

PLAYERS BROWNS HAVE DRAFTED NO. 1 OVERALL

COUCH

GARRETT

MAYFIELD

BROWN

_____ QUARTERBACK

MONDAY MORNING

STARTING

ARMCHAIR

FRANCHISE

Reveal full answer

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