Sports Connections Hints: Jul 27, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Jul 27, 2026 (2026-07-27). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #972

Puzzle #972 · 2026-07-27 · 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 #972 for 2026-07-27, 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: NFL TEAMS WHOSE NICKNAMES START WITH B, NHL TEAMS WHOSE NICKNAMES START WITH B, ASSOCIATED WITH CINCINNATI 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.

NFL TEAMS WHOSE NICKNAMES START WITH B
NHL TEAMS WHOSE NICKNAMES START WITH B
ASSOCIATED WITH CINCINNATI
WORDS IN THE NAMES OF BUNDESLIGA CLUBS

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.

NFL TEAMS WHOSE NICKNAMES START WITH B

BEARS

BILLS

BRONCOS

BUCCANEERS

NHL TEAMS WHOSE NICKNAMES START WITH B

BLUES

BLUE JACKETS

BLACKHAWKS

BRUINS

ASSOCIATED WITH CINCINNATI

BURROW

BEARCATS

BENGALS

BIG RED MACHINE

WORDS IN THE NAMES OF BUNDESLIGA CLUBS

BAYERN

BAYER

BORUSSIA

BERLIN

Reveal full answer

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