NYT Strands #969: Comedy Club Theme and Funny Business Spangram

Key points

• The October 28, 2026, Strands puzzle (#969) had a 'Comedy club' theme.
• The spangram for #969 was 'FUNNYBUSINESS,' running horizontally across the grid.
• Theme words for #969 included SLAPSTICK, FARCE, IMPROV, SKETCH, and BURLESQUE.
• The October 27, 2026, puzzle (#968) had a pest theme with the spangram 'EXTERMINATOR.'
• Theme words for #968 included COCKROACHES, ANTS, MICE, RATS, TICKS, and TERMITES.

Background

NYT Strands is a daily word-search game where players find hidden words that fit a specific theme. The game includes a 'spangram,' a word or phrase that spans the entire grid and explicitly states the theme. Previous puzzles in October 2026 included themes like 'Changing course' (#947), arcade games (#945), and 'Quite the crush' (#958). The game allows players to use unrelated words to unlock hints if they become stuck.

How outlets are covering it

Lifehacker and Mashable both provided detailed solutions for the October 27 puzzle (#968), confirming the pest theme and the 'EXTERMINATOR' spangram. CNET focused on the October 28 puzzle (#969), highlighting the 'Comedy club' theme and the 'FUNNYBUSINESS' spangram. The New York Times' official Strands Sidekick for October 28 rated the puzzle as 'moderate' in difficulty but did not reveal the answers directly, instead offering interactive hints. All sources agree on the mechanics of the game, including the use of the spangram and theme words to solve the puzzle.

Why it matters

NYT Strands is a popular daily puzzle that engages millions of users worldwide. The variety of themes, from pests to comedy, keeps the game fresh and challenging. The puzzle's design, which requires players to find words that fit a specific theme, tests vocabulary and pattern recognition skills. The inclusion of hints and the ability to use unrelated words to unlock clues makes the game accessible to a wide range of players.

What to watch

Players can expect new Strands puzzles to be released daily at midnight in their local time zone. The New York Times publishes two Strands Sidekicks each day to accommodate players in different time zones. Future puzzles will continue to feature diverse themes and spangrams, challenging players to think creatively and expand their vocabulary.