Sports Connections Hints: Aug 22, 2026

This page shows spoiler‑layered hints for the NYT Sports Connections puzzle published on Aug 22, 2026 (2026-08-22). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full board when you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #1019

Puzzle #1019 · 2026-08-22 · 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 #1019 for 2026-08-22, 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: IMPORTANT, ACCESSORIES FOR A FOOTBALL REFEREE, CALIFORNIA SOCCER TEAMS 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.

IMPORTANT
ACCESSORIES FOR A FOOTBALL REFEREE
CALIFORNIA SOCCER TEAMS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL GAMES, WITH THE FIRST LETTER CHANGED

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.

IMPORTANT

KEY

VITAL

PIVOTAL

INDISPENSABLE

ACCESSORIES FOR A FOOTBALL REFEREE

FLAG

WHISTLE

COIN

BEAN BAG

CALIFORNIA SOCCER TEAMS

BAY

WAVE

GALAXY

EARTHQUAKES

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL GAMES, WITH THE FIRST LETTER CHANGED

SIESTA

HOSE

BEACH

GRANGE

Reveal full answer

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