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NYT Connections Sports Edition · #661

NYT Connections Sports Edition Hints & Answers (#661) — July 16, 2026

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“Start with words that look like names of places or organizations to form your first groups.”

NYT Sports Connections hints for July 16, 2026

Three levels of help — a definition for every word, colour-coded group nudges, and a heads-up on the traps. Skip to all answers →

1

Word clues

A spoiler-free definition for every word in the grid. Tap the eye on any card to reveal which colour-group it belongs to.

1 ASTROThe Houston venue that once hosted baseball and football.
2 BITYou're probably thinking of a small piece, but here it's the metal mouthpiece.
3 BUTLERThe Bulldogs from Indianapolis.
4 COLTSThe NFL team based in Indianapolis.
5 FARGOYou're probably thinking of the city or film, but here it names a North Dakota arena.
6 FEVERThe WNBA team that plays in Indianapolis.
7 GEORGIAYou're probably thinking of the state, but here it names an Atlanta arena.
8 GONZAGAThe Bulldogs from Spokane, Washington.
9 HOOSIERSThe nickname for Indiana University's teams.
10 MISSISSIPPI STATEThe Bulldogs from Starkville.
11 PACERSThe NBA team from the same city.
12 REINSThe straps used to guide the horse.
13 SADDLEThe seat a rider sits on.
14 STIRRUPSThe footrests that hang from the saddle.
15 SUPERYou're probably thinking of excellent, but here it starts the name of the New Orleans stadium.
16 YALEThe Bulldogs from New Haven, Connecticut.
2

Group hints

Four colour-coded groups, easiest → hardest. Every button reveals the hint, the category name, or a single word — tap only what you need.

See Hint Names tied to one particular state's sports scene.
See Group INDIANA TEAMS
See WordCOLTS
See WordPACERS
See WordHOOSIERS
See WordFEVER
See Hint Mascots shared by several college athletic programs.
See Group BULLDOGS
See WordGONZAGA
See WordMISSISSIPPI STATE
See WordYALE
See WordBUTLER
See Hint Gear used when riding horses competitively.
See Group EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT
See WordSADDLE
See WordREINS
See WordBIT
See WordSTIRRUPS
See Hint Venues whose names end with the same structure word.
See Group _____DOME
See WordGEORGIA
See WordASTRO
See WordSUPER
See WordFARGO
3

Words the puzzle wants you to mis-group

Read these before you guess — they're the words most likely to break a streak. Tap for the trap.

1 GEORGIA Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of the state or its football team, but the puzzle treats it as part of a larger venue name.
2 BIT Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a small piece or data unit, but here it's a piece of riding gear.
3 FARGO Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of the city or the film, but the puzzle uses it as part of a venue name.
4 SUPER Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of something excellent, but here it forms the start of a well-known arena name.

NYT Sports Connections answers for July 16, 2026

All four groups revealed, easiest first. Each card holds the theme, the four words, and why the group works.

Y INDIANA TEAMS · Yellow · easiest
  • COLTS
  • PACERS
  • HOOSIERS
  • FEVER

COLTS, PACERS, HOOSIERS and FEVER are all Indiana teams. FEVER stands out because it is the newest addition among the four.

G BULLDOGS · Green · easy
  • GONZAGA
  • MISSISSIPPI STATE
  • YALE
  • BUTLER

GONZAGA, MISSISSIPPI STATE, YALE and BUTLER are all Bulldogs teams. BUTLER is the one most likely to be overlooked because the name feels ordinary.

B EQUESTRIAN EQUIPMENT · Blue · medium
  • SADDLE
  • REINS
  • BIT
  • STIRRUPS

SADDLE, REINS, BIT and STIRRUPS are all equestrian equipment. BIT is the smallest and easiest to miss because the word has so many other meanings.

P _____DOME · Purple · hardest
  • GEORGIA
  • ASTRO
  • SUPER
  • FARGO

GEORGIA, ASTRO, SUPER and FARGO each precede DOME to name a stadium or arena. GEORGIA is the trickiest because it also names a famous Bulldogs team.

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