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NYT Puzzle #1115 Debuts Color-Coded Word Groups, 2.3 Difficulty

6/30/2026

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Summary

NYT Publishes Puzzle

The New York Times published puzzle #1115 on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in the United States, featuring 16 words such as CURL, BREEZE, BOX, FENCE, SKETCH, SKATE, and others.
The puzzle sorted words into groups: Yellow – FENCE, GATE, HEDGE, WALL; green – CURL, LUGE, SKATE, SKI; blue – BOTTLE, BOX, CAN, NEWSPAPER; purple – BREEZE, ON TAP, RECRUIT, SKETCH.
It received a difficulty rating of 2.3 out of 5.

Summary

Athletic Launches Puzzle

The Athletic, owned by The New York Times, produced the Connections Sports Edition released on June 30 2026.
A NYT or Athletic subscription is required, with the puzzle refreshing at midnight local time.
Players may make four incorrect guesses before the game stops, per the FAQ.
Difficulty advances from Yellow to Purple, with Purple relying on wordplay, pop-culture, or niche sports references.

History

Historical Context

After a wartime memo in December 1941, The New York Times ran its first Sunday crossword on February 15 1942 and added a daily puzzle in 1950. Will Shortz, who became editor in 1993, broadened the brand through tournaments and digital games, influencing later products such as The Athletic’s Connections Sports Edition launched in February 2025. Puzzle #1115, released June 30 2026, continues that legacy.

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NYT Publishes Puzzle

The New York Times published puzzle #1115 on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in the United States, featuring 16 words such as CURL, BREEZE, BOX, FENCE, SKETCH, SKATE, and others.
The puzzle sorted words into groups: Yellow – FENCE, GATE, HEDGE, WALL; green – CURL, LUGE, SKATE, SKI; blue – BOTTLE, BOX, CAN, NEWSPAPER; purple – BREEZE, ON TAP, RECRUIT, SKETCH.
It received a difficulty rating of 2.3 out of 5.

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