The NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for September 24, 2026, marks number 731 in the daily series. This milestone coincides with exactly two years since the sports-themed spin-off launched in 2024.
Today’s grid features a mix of roster management terms, physical arena components, and a tribute to a baseball icon. If you are looking to narrow down the groups before the full reveal, these hints will point you in the right direction.
Hints for Today’s Connections
Yellow: Field Designations
These four entries are short-form labels for specific roles on a baseball diamond. If you are looking at the scorecard, these letters tell you exactly where a player is stationed or how they contribute to the lineup.
Green: Rink Side
This group focuses on the physical structure of a hockey arena. These are the barriers and zones that contain the action on the ice.
Blue: Paperwork Particulars
This category shifts to the front office. These terms define the specific terms and conditions found in a professional athlete’s signed agreement with a team.
Purple: Legacy of Number 2
Every word here is tied to the career and identity of one of the most famous shortstops in MLB history. One entry refers to a specific defensive highlight that remains a staple of postseason montages.
Final Answers and Groups
SPOILER WARNING: The following section contains the full solution for NYT Connections: Sports Edition #731.
Yellow: Baseball Positions, Abbreviated
- C
- DH
- OF
- SS
Green: Found at a Hockey Rink
- Benches
- Boards
- Glass
- Penalty Box
Blue: Details in a Contract
- Incentives
- Options
- Salary
- Years
Purple: Associated with Derek Jeter
- 2
- Captain
- The Flip
- Yankees
Today’s puzzle highlights the sport-specific depth the game often employs. While some puzzles lean into wordplay—such as past categories featuring NBA player name homophones like Barns, Connect, Heart, and Hero—today’s challenge focused more on direct associations within hockey and baseball history.
