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NYT Connections Sports Edition · #667

NYT Connections Sports Edition Hints & Answers (#667) — July 22, 2026

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“Group words that evoke specific locations or settings first before trying titles or phrases.”

NYT Sports Connections hints for July 22, 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 BIG HOUSEMassive Michigan stadium.
2 BUNKERSand trap that tests short game skill.
3 FASTQuick basketball transition after a steal.
4 FIGHTERMark Wahlberg boxing drama.
5 FLATSGeorgia Tech's open venue.
6 HORSESHOEOhio State landmark.
7 HYDRATIONTimeout for water in long matches.
8 KARATE KIDClassic underdog martial arts story.
9 NATURALRobert Redford baseball tale.
10 OUT OF BOUNDSArea beyond the white stakes.
11 PONDWater hazard that swallows many balls.
12 ROUGHTall grass that makes clean contact hard.
13 SERVICETennis term for breaking an opponent's serve.
14 SWAMPHome of the Florida Gators.
15 TIETennis decider after six-all.
16 WATERBOYAdam Sandler comedy about a team helper.
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 Spots a golfer hopes to avoid after a bad swing.
See Group PLACES WHERE AN ERRANT GOLF SHOT LANDS
See WordPOND
See WordBUNKER
See WordROUGH
See WordOUT OF BOUNDS
See Hint Sports movies that all open with the same word.
See Group SPORTS FILMS, WITH "THE"
See WordWATERBOY
See WordFIGHTER
See WordKARATE KID
See WordNATURAL
See Hint College football venues known by their shapes.
See Group COLLEGE FOOTBALL STADIUM NICKNAMES, WITH "THE"
See WordSWAMP
See WordBIG HOUSE
See WordHORSESHOE
See WordFLATS
See Hint Sports phrases that share the same final word.
See Group _____ BREAK
See WordHYDRATION
See WordTIE
See WordFAST
See WordSERVICE
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 FAST Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of something quick or speedy, but here the puzzle uses it as part of a sports move.
2 SERVICE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably picturing customer help or a ceremony, but here it's a tennis term instead.
3 TIE Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably thinking of a draw in score or neckwear, but here it's paired with a sports rule.
4 HYDRATION Tap to see why this word traps.
You're probably reading it as drinking water during play, but here it's the full phrase for a timeout.

NYT Sports Connections answers for July 22, 2026

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

Y PLACES WHERE AN ERRANT GOLF SHOT LANDS · Yellow · easiest
  • POND
  • BUNKER
  • ROUGH
  • OUT OF BOUNDS

POND, BUNKER, ROUGH and OUT OF BOUNDS are all places an errant golf shot can land. OUT OF BOUNDS stands out because it adds both a penalty stroke and lost distance.

G SPORTS FILMS, WITH "THE" · Green · easy
  • WATERBOY
  • FIGHTER
  • KARATE KID
  • NATURAL

WATERBOY, FIGHTER, KARATE KID and NATURAL are all sports films with THE in the title. THE NATURAL is the oldest of the four and the only baseball entry.

B COLLEGE FOOTBALL STADIUM NICKNAMES, WITH "THE" · Blue · medium
  • SWAMP
  • BIG HOUSE
  • HORSESHOE
  • FLATS

SWAMP, BIG HOUSE, HORSESHOE and FLATS are all college football stadium nicknames with THE. THE HORSESHOE is the only one named for its actual layout.

P _____ BREAK · Purple · hardest
  • HYDRATION
  • TIE
  • FAST
  • SERVICE

HYDRATION, TIE, FAST and SERVICE are all phrases of the form _____ BREAK. SERVICE is the sneakiest because most solvers first picture customer service rather than tennis.

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