The Best Sports Word Games in 2026
If you enjoy Sports Connections, you'll love these alternative sports word games and puzzle platforms. Whether you prefer trivia, crosswords, or word association, there's something for every sports fan.
1. Sports Connections (connectionssports.com)
Our daily word puzzle game where you sort 16 sports words into 4 groups. With 8 sport editions, community puzzles, and difficulty modes, it's the ultimate sports word game. Play now →
2. NYT Connections
The original Connections game by The New York Times. While not sports-specific, it's the inspiration behind Sports Connections and a must-play for word puzzle fans.
3. Wordle
The viral 5-letter word guessing game. Not sports-themed, but its daily puzzle format pioneered the "one puzzle per day" model that Sports Connections follows.
4. Sports Crosswords
Classic crossword puzzles with sports-themed clues. Available in many newspapers and puzzle apps, they test both your vocabulary and sports knowledge.
5. Sporcle Sports Quizzes
Sporcle's massive library of sports quizzes covers every imaginable topic — from naming NFL teams by their logos to listing every World Cup winner. Great for training your sports trivia muscles.
6. ESPN Sports Trivia
ESPN's daily trivia challenges test your knowledge of current sports events, history, and statistics. A good companion to your daily Sports Connections habit.
7. Immaculate Grid
A baseball-specific puzzle game where you fill a 3×3 grid with MLB players who match the row and column criteria. Highly addictive for baseball fans.
8. PrizePicks
While technically a prediction game, PrizePicks tests your sports knowledge by challenging you to predict player performance. It combines sports knowledge with strategic thinking.
9. Strands (NYT)
Another NYT word game where you find themed words hidden in a letter grid. Occasionally features sports themes that will feel familiar to Sports Connections players.
10. Custom Community Puzzles
Don't forget — you can create your own Sports Connections puzzle and share it with the community. With thousands of user-created puzzles available, there's always something new to play!
Why Sports Word Games Matter
Sports word games aren't just fun — they improve vocabulary, pattern recognition, and critical thinking. They're also a great way to discover new sports facts and trivia you never knew.
Looking for your next challenge? Browse all our sport editions or play today's daily puzzle!