NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for January 30, 2026
Today’s Sports Edition tilts toward the pitch, with a mix that also nods to the NFL and a dash of horse racing. If you’re comfortable juggling soccer lore, football rosters, and gear terminology, you’re in for a smoother run — but there are still a few tricky overlaps to watch for.
How Sports Edition works (quick refresher)
You’re looking at 16 words that split neatly into four groups of four, each set united by a shared theme. Tap four that you think belong together; lock them in to clear the board. You’re allowed a few misses, so don’t be afraid to shuffle the grid and rethink. Difficulty rises with the color order: yellow is the soft opener, then green, blue, and finally purple — usually the most devious.
Gentle nudges for today’s puzzle
If you want a light touch without spoilers, consider these broad themes:
- Yellow: Shoes
- Green: Uniform
- Blue: NFL team
- Purple: Soccer-related
Stronger clues (category reveals)
Still stuck? Here are today’s exact categories:
- Yellow: Parts of a sneaker
- Green: What a jockey wears
- Blue: Seattle Seahawks
- Purple: Former MLS team names
Connections: Sports Edition answers for January 30, 2026 (#494)
Last chance to look away before the solutions.
- Parts of a sneaker: EYELET, LACES, SOLE, TONGUE
- What a jockey wears: BOOTS, BREECHES, GOGGLES, SILKS
- Seattle Seahawks: BARNER, LOVE, WALKER, WOOLEN
- Former MLS team names: BURN, CLASH, FUSION, IMPACT
Strategy tips for future grids
- Hunt the obvious set first: apparel, body parts, or equipment often make up the yellow or green groups.
- Watch for trap overlaps: words like “boot” or “impact” can feel sporty across multiple categories; confirm context before locking.
- Use the shuffle: a fresh layout can reveal hidden patterns.
- Test a hypothesis: select four that fit your theory and see if the game accepts it; an early rejection can steer you to the correct lane.
Didn’t nail it today? No worries — a clean slate arrives after midnight with another sports-flavored grid to tackle. See you then for fresh hints and the full breakdown.
