NYT Connections: Sports Edition Answers for Jan 18 (#482)

Today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints and Answers for Jan. 18 (#482)

Need help with today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle? Puzzle No. 482, released on January 18, 2026, is a knowledge-heavy challenge that rewards familiarity with college conferences, NFL geography, quarterbacks, and athlete surnames. Below you’ll find spoiler-light hints first, followed by complete answers and explanations.

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Hints for Today’s Connections: Sports Edition Groups

Groups are ordered from easiest (yellow) to hardest (purple):

• Yellow group hint: More than 10 teams are in this group now
• Green group hint: No rings for them
• Blue group hint: Where teams play
• Purple group hint: Hit the right note

If you’re stuck early, look for conference names or city references to lock in safe groups.

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Answers for Today’s Connections: Sports Edition

🟨 Yellow Group — Big Ten teams

• PENN STATE
• PURDUE
• WASHINGTON
• WISCONSIN

These schools are all members of the Big Ten Conference, which recently expanded well beyond 10 teams.

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🟩 Green Group — Last four Super Bowl–losing QBs

• BURROW
• HURTS
• MAHOMES
• PURDY

Each quarterback started a Super Bowl in the last four seasons and lost the game.

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🟦 Blue Group — Home cities of NFL teams

• ARLINGTON
• FOXBORO
• ORCHARD PARK
• SANTA CLARA

These cities are where NFL teams actually play—not always the city in the team name.

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🟪 Purple Group — Athletes with musical surnames

• JARED VERSE
• JAYCEE HORN
• MADISON KEYS
• STEVE SAX

Each athlete’s last name is also a musical term or instrument, making this the trickiest group.

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Why Today’s Puzzle Was Challenging

• Multiple groups rely on proper nouns, not generic sports terms
• NFL home cities often differ from team branding names
• The purple group requires wordplay knowledge, not sports stats

Taking a slow, category-by-category approach helps avoid lockouts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is today’s NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle number?

Today’s puzzle is No. 482.

What was the hardest group today?

The purple group, based on musical surnames, was the most confusing.

Where can you play Connections: Sports Edition?

You can play it free online or in The Athletic app, but not in the NYT Games app.

How many groups are in Connections: Sports Edition?

There are four groups of four words, totaling 16 answers.