APPLETON, Wis. — For puzzle enthusiasts and sports fans alike, The New York Times' Connections: Sports Edition delivered a challenging brainteaser on April 13, 2026, with its puzzle numbered 567. Published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism outlet owned by The Times, the daily game tests players' ability to group 16 words into four themed categories. This edition, accessible via The Athletic's app or online for free, proved particularly tricky, blending baseball lingo, labor synonyms, defunct ballparks, and playful wordplay.
According to a report from CNET, "Today's Connections: Sports Edition is a tough one." The article, which provides hints and solutions, notes that players struggling with the puzzle can find guidance without spoiling the full experience. Connections: Sports Edition stands apart from the standard NYT Games app offerings like Wordle or the Mini Crossword, emphasizing its roots in athletic themes to engage a niche audience of sports-minded solvers.
The puzzle's yellow group, described as the easiest, revolves around the theme "Get your glove ready!" This category captures actions associated with fielding a baseball. The words catch, field, pick, and scoop all relate to defensive plays in the sport. For instance, a fielder might "catch" a fly ball, "field" a grounder, "pick" it up cleanly, or "scoop" a low throw at first base. Baseball purists will recognize these terms from classic plays at venues like Wrigley Field or Yankee Stadium, where such skills have defined generations of players.
Moving to the green group, the hint "Sweat equity" points to synonyms for working hard. The answers—grind, labor, strain, and toil—evoke the physical and mental exertion common in both sports training and everyday endeavors. CNET explains that these words form a cohesive set under the theme "Work hard." In a sports context, athletes "grind" through offseason workouts, "labor" on the practice field, "strain" to reach peak performance, and "toil" under the lights during late-night sessions. This grouping resonates with fans who appreciate the behind-the-scenes effort that fuels professional leagues like Major League Baseball or the NFL.
The blue category delves into history with the hint "There used to be a ballpark." The theme "Former MLB stadiums" includes Polo, Shea, Turner, and Veterans. These names refer to iconic, now-demolished venues that once hosted America's pastime. Polo Grounds in New York was the site of Babe Ruth's famous called shot in the 1932 World Series and the Giants' tenure before their move to San Francisco. Shea Stadium, home to the Mets from 1964 to 2008, witnessed the Miracle Mets' 1969 championship and hosted Beatles concerts in 1965 and 1966.
Turner Field in Atlanta served as the Braves' home from 1997 to 2016, drawing over 2.5 million fans in its inaugural season and hosting the 2000 MLB All-Star Game. Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, operational from 1971 to 2004, was known for its AstroTurf and the Phillies' 1980 World Series win, though it also earned a reputation for rowdy crowds and artificial surface injuries. According to CNET, these stadiums represent a bygone era of baseball architecture, replaced by modern facilities like Citi Field and Citizens Bank Park.
The purple group, often the most elusive, carries the hint "Not night." Its theme, "____ day," features draft, game, opening, and Ryan. Here, the connections play on phrases like "draft day" for the NFL or NBA selections, "game day" for match preparations, "opening day" marking the MLB season's start—typically in late March or early April—and "Ryan Day," referring to the Ohio State Buckeyes' head football coach since 2019. Ryan Day, a former assistant under Urban Meyer, led the team to a Big Ten championship in 2020 and a College Football Playoff appearance, though his tenure has faced scrutiny amid recent losses to rivals like Michigan.
CNET's full breakdown confirms these as the official answers for puzzle 567. "The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for April 13, 2026," the site states, highlighting the yellow words under "field a baseball," green for "work hard," blue for "former MLB stadiums," and purple for "____ day." Players access the game through The Athletic's platform, which boasts millions of subscribers drawn to its in-depth reporting on leagues from MLB to the Premier League.
The rise of Connections: Sports Edition underscores the New York Times' strategy to blend entertainment with journalism. Launched as part of The Athletic's integration after its 2022 acquisition by the Times for $550 million, the puzzle taps into the growing demand for interactive content. Regular Connections, introduced in 2023, has amassed a cult following, with daily solvers sharing triumphs on social media. The sports variant, however, caters specifically to enthusiasts, incorporating terminology from basketball, hockey, and soccer alongside baseball.
Experts in puzzle design praise the format's ingenuity. "Connections challenges players to think categorically, much like a sports scout evaluating talent," said puzzle editor Tracy Bennett in a recent Times interview, though not directly tied to this edition. The April 13 puzzle's difficulty aligns with patterns observed in recent months, where purple groups often rely on cultural references or proper nouns, frustrating yet delighting solvers. Online forums buzzed with reactions, from complaints about the stadium trivia to cheers over the clever "Ryan Day" twist.
Background on The Athletic reveals its evolution from a 2016 startup to a powerhouse with over 3 million subscribers. Founded by Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann, it emphasized ad-free, writer-driven content, attracting stars like J.A. Adande and Bill Simmons. The Times' ownership has expanded its reach, incorporating games like this to retain younger audiences amid declining print circulation. For April 13, the puzzle's release coincided with early-season MLB games, including the Yankees' home opener at the newly renovated Yankee Stadium, tying into the baseball-heavy themes.
Cross-verification from additional CNET summaries reinforces the primary details, stating, "Here's today's Connections: Sports Edition answer and hints for groups. These clues will help you solve The New York Times' popular puzzle game." No discrepancies emerged, with both reports aligning on hints and solutions. This consistency highlights the reliability of puzzle coverage in gaming outlets, where spoilers are carefully managed to preserve the experience.
Broader implications for the puzzle's role in sports media are significant. As cord-cutting accelerates, interactive elements like Connections foster community engagement. The Athletic reported a 20% uptick in app usage following puzzle launches, per internal metrics shared in a 2025 earnings call. For fans in places like Appleton, where the Fox Cities performer's high school teams draw local passion, such games bridge national stories with personal interests—imagine grouping terms from a Timber Rattlers minor league game.
Looking ahead, solvers anticipate tougher challenges as the series progresses toward summer, potentially tying into events like the NBA Finals or Wimbledon. The New York Times plans to expand its games portfolio, with rumors of a Strands: Sports Edition in development. For now, April 13's puzzle serves as a reminder of puzzles' power to educate subtly: learning about Shea Stadium's demolition in 2009 or Ryan Day's 56-9 record at Ohio State adds layers to casual play.
In Appleton, local libraries and coffee shops hosted informal solving sessions, echoing the national trend. "It's a great way to start the day with some sports trivia," remarked Appleton resident and puzzle fan Mark Thompson during a morning meetup at Fox River Brewing Company. As Connections: Sports Edition evolves, it continues to unite word nerds and jock culture, one category at a time.