The New York Times Games App Just Got a Social Makeover—and If You’re as Competitive as I Am, You’re Gonna Love It

The New York Times Games app just added something that’s bound to fire up your group chats and put your puzzle prowess to the test: a shiny new in-app multi-game leaderboard. As of today, you can now see how your daily scores stack up across Threads, Spelling Bee, Connections, and more—so get ready for some friendly competition (or full-blown bragging rights) with friends, family, and that one coworker who swears they’re the fastest at Wordle.

If your idea of a perfect morning includes coffee and cracking the Spelling Bee before you even check your inbox, you’re in good company. I try to play Threads, Spelling Bee, and Connections on the NYT Games app every day, but I won’t even open the Spelling Bee unless I’ve got the time (and brainpower) to hit Queen Bee.

It’s a commitment.

On calmer days, I’ll throw in Wordle, Strands, Letter Boxed, The Crossword, and even Sudoku for good measure.

That $50 a year for a New York Times Games subscription? Worth every penny. No ads, just pure puzzle bliss—now with a little extra motivation to outscore your inner circle.

The New Leaderboard: Game Night, Every Night

This isn’t just a new feature—it’s a whole vibe. The in-app leaderboard lets you track your daily scores across multiple games, including Wordle, Spelling Bee, Connections, and The Mini Crossword. You can see how you did, how your friends did, and whether your cousin, who always brags about their “genius-level vocabulary,” can actually spell “onomatopoeia” under pressure.

Even better, you’re not just seeing how you did today. You can check back on past solves, gloat over that one day you crushed Connections without any mistakes, or wince at your embarrassing four-miss Wordle streak from last week. It’s basically a highlight reel of your puzzle performance, minus the stress of timed tests or pop quizzes.

To be clear: this isn’t about making you feel bad if you didn’t get Queen Bee. It’s about celebrating the daily wins, having a little fun, and giving yourself a pat on the back (or a motivational nudge) as you scroll through your scorecard. If you’re already texting screenshots of your perfect solve to your best friend or spouse, this leaderboard makes that ritual official—and automated.

Adding Friends, Family, and Foes (Affectionately)

The leaderboard is now available through the New York Times Games app, which can be downloaded from the App Store on both iOS and Android devices. Once you’re in, it’s easy to add friends, family, coworkers, or the one person in your life who insists Wordle peaked in 2022. As long as everyone’s got the app, you’re good to go.

Connections

Whether you’re solving alone at breakfast, sneaking in a Connections break between meetings, or winding down with the Mini Crossword before bed, the leaderboard keeps everyone looped in and maybe even a little inspired to outdo one another. It’s like fitness tracking, but for your brain—and with far less sweating.

The Mini Crossword

Celebrities in the Mix: Because Why Not?

To kick things off with a little flair, the New York Times Games team is also inviting some puzzle-loving celebrities into the mix. Starting May 8, you’ll be able to add actor Chris Perfetti (Abbott Elementary), actress Lola Tung (The Summer I Turned Pretty), her puzzle pal and Grammy-winning jazz singer Laufey, and The Real Housewives of New York reality TV alums Luann de Lesseps and Sonja Morgan to your leaderboard.

So if you’ve ever wanted to see how your Wordle guesses stack up next to a Bravolebrity’s or if you just want to feel seen by someone who can actually sing their way through Letter Boxed, this is your moment. And more celeb appearances are in the pipeline. Have someone in mind you’d love to beat (or cheer on) in a puzzle duel? You can even suggest your dream leaderboard additions by emailing the Games team. Go ahead—manifest your competition.

Why This Actually Matters (Even If You Think It Doesn’t)

Sure, it’s easy to write this off as just a new feature in a puzzle app, but if you’re someone who plays these games semi-regularly or daily, this adds a new layer of motivation. Puzzle-solving is one of those rare activities that manages to feel indulgent, productive, relaxing, and challenging all at once. It keeps your mind sharp, helps build vocabulary, boosts pattern recognition, and gives you a sense of accomplishment without making you break a sweat.

Spelling Bee

Having a space to see progress—and to connect with the people you care about while doing it—makes the whole experience more dynamic. Instead of texting “Wordle in 3!” and waiting hours for someone to respond, now you just open the app and instantly know how everyone did. It’s a low-effort, high-reward way to feel a little more connected each day.

Wordle

Think of it as a mental group hug. Or a gentle roast, depending on your social circle.

Download the App, Join the Fun

So if you’re already solving and sharing your scores, it’s time to make things official. The leaderboard is built to make your puzzle life a little more social, a little more satisfying, and, let’s be honest, a little more fun to brag about.

Whether you’re chasing Queen Bee, flexing your Wordle streak, or simply trying to survive Connections without embarrassing yourself (been there; done that!), the app now brings all your efforts into one tidy, very scrollable place.

Download the New York Times Games app today and get ready to start some friendly rivalries. Just remember—if you add me to your leaderboard, bring your A-game. I don’t play Spelling Bee unless I’m ready to wear the crown. And yes, I always aim for Queen.