Key Insights and Answers for NYT Connections: Sports Edition #266

On June 16, 2025, The New York Times (NYT) released its latest edition of the popular puzzle game, Connections: Sports Edition, now available through The Athletic's app. This edition features four distinct groupings, each challenging players with themes ranging from slang terms to major sports cities. Gael Cooper, a seasoned journalist and editor at CNET, provided essential hints and answers to assist players in navigating this edition.

In the yellow group, players must identify slang for zero, with the answers being bagel, donut, goose egg, and nil. The green group focuses on cities associated with the Big Ten Conference, including College Park, Columbus, East Lansing, and Madison. Meanwhile, the blue group centers on locations of the men’s golf majors for the year, featuring Augusta, Oakmont, Quail Hollow, and Royal Portrush. Lastly, the purple group presents a challenge related to Major League Baseball catchers, showcasing players such as Perez, Raleigh, Realmuto, and Rutschman.

The introduction of Connections: Sports Edition on Super Bowl Sunday, February 9, 2025, marked a significant point for the game, as it transitioned out of beta and into a full-fledged feature reflecting its growing popularity. The Athletic, a subscription-based sports journalism site owned by NYT, continues to enhance the experience for dedicated players. This latest edition reinforces the commitment to providing engaging and thought-provoking content to its audience.

As the NYT expands its puzzle offerings, it emphasizes the importance of interactive engagement in sports journalism, blending entertainment with cognitive challenges. The shift to an app-based format allows greater accessibility, catering to a broader audience eager to engage with sports topics in a playful manner. With this ongoing development, players can expect more stimulating puzzles in the future, fostering a community of sports enthusiasts who appreciate both the game and the intellectual challenge it presents.