Sports Connections Hints: Sep 25, 2026

This page shows spoiler-layered hints for the NYT Sports Connectionspuzzle published on Sep 25, 2026 (2026-09-25). Step through the hints in order and only reveal the full boardwhen you're ready.

Meta: Sports puzzle #1089

Puzzle #1089 · 2026-09-25 · 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 #1089 for 2026-09-25, 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: LAST FOUR FRANCHISES TO WIN STANLEY CUP, NBA DIVISIONS, CAROLINA PANTHERS 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.

LAST FOUR FRANCHISES TO WIN STANLEY CUP
NBA DIVISIONS
CAROLINA PANTHERS
_____ HITTER

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.

LAST FOUR FRANCHISES TO WIN STANLEY CUP

CAROLINA

FLORIDA

VEGAS

COLORADO

NBA DIVISIONS

PACIFIC

ATLANTIC

CENTRAL

SOUTHWEST

CAROLINA PANTHERS

YOUNG

HORN

TREMBLE

HUBBARD

_____ HITTER

OUTSIDE

SWITCH

LEADOFF

PINCH

Reveal full answer

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