Unexpected winner Crossword Clue

Looking for the answer to “Unexpected winner” from the USA Today crossword of January 6, 2026? It has 9 letters. Flip the tiles one at a time, try a hint first, or look through the rest of that puzzle.

Crossword answer

USA TODAY, JANUARY 6, 2026

Tap a tile to see one letter, or show the whole answer.

Hints

Three clues to the answer, gentle first. Open one at a time.

Hint 1 Meaning

Hint 2 Anagram

Hint 3 Another clue

More clues from the USA Today (January 6, 2026)

Across

1. Duck out of sight, perhaps
5. Musical dramas that might end on a high note?
11. Game whose name is shouted near its end
14. Make-or-break time
15. Get married
17. "Keep it coming!"
18. Form of long-distance medical care
19. Fingerprinting supply
20. Trapeze artists' safety equipment
21. What an informant might wear
22. ___ of relativity
24. An ugly one might be worn to a Christmas party
27. Oaks-to-be
28. Dish in many cook-offs
29. Transported goods
30. Event that might feature flying fish?
34. Org. with a "Where's My Refund?" webpage
35. Pocahontas' vessel
36. "Succession" surname
37. Gets rid of
40. Set the stage for
42. Ceremonial procedures
43. "Here's how you do it"
44. In need of some Shout, perhaps
47. Calm
48. Common diner desserts
49. Sound-off button
50. To and ___
52. "No need for you to pay!"
56. Hazy memory
57. Reason to say "Whew!"
58. Like light colors
59. "The Croods" protagonist
60. University of Oklahoma student
61. Practically forever

Down

1. Type of computer monitor cable
2. "Whatever"
3. Unexpected winner
4. Image representing "I" in a rebus
5. Mammals with thick, waterproof fur
6. Devoutness
7. Long, narrow fish
8. Way to go (Abbr.)
9. "Gotcha, gotcha"
10. Visualize
11. Like a dark road
12. ___ Dame
13. Look the ___ way
16. Japanese cultural phenomenon emphasizing cuteness
20. Something verboten
23. Rowing machine, for short
24. Says "Scram!" to
25. Not narrow
26. ___ on the Shelf
27. Tums target
28. Rods' counterparts
30. Sent a document via landline
31. Positive trait in a potential partner
32. Unofficial modification to a game
33. Keyboard goof
35. Mention as a source
38. Rainbow-makers
39. Verboten act
40. Lose steam
41. Verb hidden in "weekend"
43. E or G, e.g.
44. Cumin or cinnamon, e.g.
45. Name of a work
46. Famed fable writer
47. Smoothly charismatic
49. Not nice
51. Unrefined metals
53. "It's a love story, baby, just say ___"
54. General on a Chinese restaurant menu
55. Letter after pi
56. ___-free plastic

Fresh clues from recent puzzles

Mischievous demon
Dessert consumed on 3/14
(Don't pet me!)
"Eureka!"
Support in the closet
"Sadly ..."
Pepsi, e.g.
Dumbbell units, for short
Greek K
State with only three counties: Abbr.

Questions

What is the answer to “Unexpected winner”?

DARKHORSE, 9 letters.

When was “Unexpected winner” last seen in a crossword?

In the USA Today crossword of January 6, 2026.

How many letters does the answer have?

9 letters, starting with D.