Sports Connections Hints: Aug 4, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Aug 4, 2026 (2026-08-04). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #980

Puzzle #980 · 2026-08-04 · 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 #980 for 2026-08-04, 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: BASEBALL PITCHING ROLES, BIG TEN TEAMS, SECOND WORDS IN NHL TEAM NAMES 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.

BASEBALL PITCHING ROLES
BIG TEN TEAMS
SECOND WORDS IN NHL TEAM NAMES
PITTSBURGH STEELERS

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.

BASEBALL PITCHING ROLES

ACE

CLOSER

OPENER

SETUP

BIG TEN TEAMS

DUCKS

BADGERS

HUSKIES

GOLDEN GOPHERS

SECOND WORDS IN NHL TEAM NAMES

WINGS

LEAFS

KNIGHTS

JACKETS

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

QUEEN

WATT

HIGHSMITH

METCALF

Reveal full answer

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