Many sports fans who subscribe to Xfinity often ask how much it costs to get Bally Sports on their TV plan, especially if they want to watch live regional games featuring teams in Major League Baseball, the NBA, or the NHL. Bally Sports channels are regional sports networks (RSNs) that carry local team broadcasts that might not air on national channels. The cost of accessing these channels on Xfinity isn’t always straightforward because the networks are tied to specific package tiers and sometimes separate fees. Whether you’re a longtime Xfinity subscriber or considering adding sports channels, it helps to understand how Bally Sports fits into the pricing structure, what fees you might see, and how regional availability affects your bill.
Basic Xfinity TV Plans and Sports Access
Xfinity offers a range of TV packages with varying channel lineups and price points. Bally Sports channels are not typically part of the most basic plans. Instead, they tend to be included in highertier plans that offer more comprehensive content. For comparison, basic Xfinity plans start with local broadcast channels and may include some national sports coverage, but local RSNs like Bally Sports are not guaranteed in those entrylevel packages.
These are some general price ranges for Xfinity TV packages that may include sports channels (though exact offerings always depend on your region)
- Choice TV – Lowertier option with limited channels and typically without most RSNs.
- Popular TV – Midtier that includes more entertainment channels but may still exclude regional sports.
- Ultimate TV – Highertier package with a wide range of channels, including many sports networks and often RSNs like Bally Sports in select markets.
Channel availability and pricing vary depending on your ZIP code and the contracts Xfinity has with networks in your specific area.
How Much You May Pay for Bally Sports on Xfinity
If Bally Sports is available on Xfinity in your area, it is typically included in a highertier package rather than standalone. For example, with certain Bally Sports RSNs returning to Xfinity after negotiations with Bally Sports’ owners, subscribers may need to be on the Ultimate TV package, which is more expensive than lower tiers.
According to reports, Bally Sports networks were added back to Xfinity in some markets with the requirement that customers upgrade to the Xfinity Ultimate TV plan, which can range around $68.50 to $80 per month or more depending on your location and specific offerings.
In addition to the base subscription price, Xfinity typically charges fees that relate to providing sports programming
- Regional Sports Network (RSN) Fee – A monthly fee that appears on many Xfinity bills to cover the cost of carrying local sports networks. This fee can be separate from your channel package cost.
- Broadcast TV Fee – A standard charge that supports local network content.
These additional fees mean that even if Bally Sports is part of your chosen package, your monthly bill will often be higher than the advertised base package price once mandatory fees are included.
Regional Variations in Price and Availability
Bally Sports is not one single channel but a group of regional networks, and each market has its own contracts and pricing rules. For example, Bally Sports Southwest, Bally Sports North, Bally Sports Midwest, and other regional networks all fall under the larger Bally umbrella, but they serve fans in different geographic areas.
In some areas, Xfinity may carry certain Bally Sports channels within a standard sports tier, but in others, those channels may require a premium or upgrade to a more expensive plan. Local negotiations between Xfinity (Comcast) and Diamond Sports Group (the owner of Bally Sports networks) determine which channels are available and on what terms. These agreements sometimes change, leading to channels being added, removed, or retiered.
What the Ultimate TV Package Includes
The Ultimate TV package on Xfinity is the tier most likely to include regional sports networks like Bally Sports. This plan typically offers the broadest mix of entertainment, cable news, and sports channels. While the exact channel list varies by location, it often includes many nationally recognized sports networks such as ESPN, FS1, and regional coverage through RSNs.
Although the base cost can range around $68.50-$80 per month or higher for this package, remember that other fees and taxes will be added. The inclusion of Bally Sports at this tier may be one of the reasons for the higher price compared to lower plans.
Additional Fees on Your Xfinity Bill
Even after selecting an Xfinity package that carries Bally Sports, your actual monthly bill will include several charges beyond the headline price
- Broadcast TV Fee – A standard charge on all TV subscriptions to support local broadcast content.
- Regional Sports Network Fee – Adds cost to your bill for the ability to offer regional sports content, even if you don’t watch it.
Many customers may not realize these fees are separate from the plan itself, yet they can add $10 or more to the monthly cost, making the allin price for Bally Sports access higher than the basic package price alone.
Pros and Cons of Watching Bally Sports on Xfinity
There are advantages and disadvantages to getting Bally Sports through Xfinity
Benefits
- Convenience – Bally Sports is integrated into your TV lineup if available in your area.
- Live Games – Regional coverage of local teams within your market.
- Single Bill – All content, including sports, comes from one provider.
Drawbacks
- Higher Cost – Access generally requires upgrading to a more expensive package.
- Additional Fees – Regional fees and broadcast fees add to your monthly bill.
- Not Universal – Channels vary by region and contracts may change, meaning availability isn’t guaranteed everywhere.
Alternatives If Bally Sports Costs Too Much
For sports fans who find the cost of Bally Sports on Xfinity too high, there are alternatives
- Bally Sports+ – A direct streaming service from Bally that starts around $19.99 per month, letting you subscribe to regional content without a cable package.
- Other Streaming Services – Some services carry RSNs or alternative sports channels as part of broader packages. Check availability and pricing for options like DIRECTV STREAM or FuboTV.
- League Streaming Solutions – Professional leagues sometimes offer their own streaming packages for outofmarket games.
Total Expected Cost
The cost of getting Bally Sports on Xfinity is not a simple flat fee because it depends on your TV package, additional fees, and your location. In many regions, Bally Sports channels are included only in the higher Ultimate TV package, which typically costs in the range of $68.50 to $80 per month or more before fees and taxes.
On top of that, expect to pay a Regional Sports Network fee and a Broadcast TV fee on your bill, which can add $10-$15 or more monthly. For sports fans dedicated to watching local team coverage via Bally Sports, the total monthly cost can therefore be significantly higher than advertised package prices. Understanding these costs and exploring alternatives like Bally Sports+ streaming can help you decide the best way to access the games you want within your budget.