If you’re stuck on today’s NYT Connections Sports Edition, we’ve got you covered. Here are the hints, categories, and full answers for puzzle #521 for Thursday, February 26, 2026.

With daily word challenges becoming a routine for puzzle lovers, the sports-themed edition adds an exciting twist for fans of athletics and pop culture alike.

What Is Connections Sports Edition?

Created by The New York Times in collaboration with The Athletic, Connections Sports Edition follows the same format as the original game.

Players are given 16 words and must group them into four sets of four based on a shared theme. The puzzle resets daily at midnight (EST) and focuses entirely on sports-related terms, athletes, teams, and sports culture references.

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Hints for Today’s Categories (February 26, 2026)

• Yellow: Leadership changes
• Green: Sports films featuring a famous comedian
• Blue: Linked to a WNBA legend
• Purple: Coaches from fiction

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Today’s Categories (Spoiler Alert)

• Yellow: Coaching Decisions
• Green: Will Ferrell Sports Movies
• Blue: Associated with Diana Taurasi
• Purple: Fictional Coaches

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Answers for Connections Sports Edition #521

Coaching Decisions

• EXTEND
• FIRE
• HIRE
• PROMOTE

Will Ferrell Sports Movies (featuring Will Ferrell)

• Blades of Glory
• Kicking & Screaming
• Semi-Pro
• Talladega Nights

Associated with Diana Taurasi

• CONNECTICUT
• PHOENIX
• SIX GOLDS
• WHITE MAMBA

Fictional Coaches

• BOMBAY
• BUTTERMAKER
• DALE
• LASSO

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If today’s puzzle was tricky, don’t worry—Connections is designed to challenge your pattern recognition and sports knowledge. A new puzzle will be available tomorrow to test your skills again.