Las Vegas: Tournament of Kings Show at Excalibur

Knights, horses, and dinner without forks. Las Vegas’s Tournament of Kings turns Excalibur’s arena into King Arthur’s world, with jousting, sword fights, music, pyrotechnics, and a hearty meal served as part of the show. I like the close-up arena setting and the old-fashioned fun of eating with your hands. The main caution is that horses, smoke, fog, strobe lights, and loud effects may be too much for some people.

I also like that the performance gives you more than a stage act: you follow a tale of bravery and treachery while cheering for a knight. The dinner is included, which makes the ticket easier to judge as an evening package rather than only a theater seat. Still, the arena keeps you near the animals and dirt, so this is not a quiet or polished dinner show.

Key points to know before you book

• The action happens around a dirt arena: You sit close to horses, jousting, sword fighting, and racing.
• King Arthur anchors the story: Maidens, a court jester, knights, and Arthur himself fill out the medieval setting.
• Dinner comes with the ticket: Expect roasted chicken, potatoes, corn, a roll, and dessert on the regular menu.
• You eat with your hands: Cutlery is not provided, in keeping with the medieval theme.
• Special meals need advance notice: Request gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or other meal changes at least four hours before the show.
• Young children have different rules: Children three and younger may attend free on an adult’s lap, while children four and older need a full ticket.

Entering Excalibur’s medieval arena

The Tournament of Kings takes place inside Excalibur in Las Vegas, where the setting does much of the storytelling before the performance begins. Instead of facing a conventional theater stage, you sit around a dirt arena with the action unfolding at floor level.

That layout matters. You are not watching tiny riders from a distant balcony. Horses pass close to the seating area, and the arena gives the contests a physical, noisy quality. You see racing, jousting, and sword fighting as live stunts rather than as a screen version of medieval combat.

The trade-off is equally clear. Dirt, animals, smoke, fog, and pyrotechnics are part of the setting. If you prefer a tidy theater, this can feel rough around the edges. If you like the sense that anything could happen in front of you, the arena is a major part of the fun.

King Arthur, rival knights, and a simple story

The plot follows King Arthur and a contest built around bravery, loyalty, and treachery. You cheer for your knight as the riders face tests of skill and courage. The story gives the action a reason, even if you do not know every detail of Arthurian legend.

King Arthur appears as a central figure, while maidens sing and dance and a court jester adds comic relief. These parts break up the riding and fighting, giving the show a clear rhythm. You get spectacle, music, humor, and story instead of one long sequence of stunts.

I would keep your expectations in the right place. This is broad, family-friendly theater, not a subtle historical drama. The characters are easy to follow, the good and bad sides are plain, and the focus stays on action that works from every part of the arena.

That simplicity helps if you are attending with children or with people who do not speak English as their first language. Horses charging, riders jousting, and comic business from the jester need little explanation. You can understand the main idea through movement and visual cues.

Horse riding and jousting at close range

The riding is the heart of the show. Knights compete in horse races, jousting matches, and sword fights, with the animals and riders working together in a tight arena. You are watching trained performers handle real horses, not a recorded stunt sequence.

Jousting has an old-fashioned appeal because the outcome depends on timing, balance, and nerve. Sword fighting adds a different kind of motion, with combatants moving on foot and on horseback. The changing contests help keep the performance from feeling repetitive.

The closeness also calls for sensible expectations. You may be near dirt, hooves, and theatrical effects, and some people will find that exciting while others will find it intense. The show specifically includes horses in close proximity to the seating area, so anyone uneasy around large animals should think carefully before booking.

For families, this is the part most likely to hold attention. A child may not follow every story point, but a horse racing across the arena is easy to understand. Children four and older receive their own seat and dinner with a full-price ticket. Children three and younger can attend free, but they must sit on an adult’s lap and share that adult’s meal.

Pyrotechnics, smoke, fog, and strobe lights

Tournament of Kings is not just a costume performance. It uses pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke, and fog in an enclosed area. These effects help create a sense of danger and drama, especially during the battles.

They also affect who should attend. People with epilepsy should not book this show. Even if you enjoy theatrical effects, you should be prepared for a busy sensory setting with horses, dirt, sudden light changes, and smoke or fog all working together.

The enclosed arena makes the effects feel close rather than distant. That can be a strength for anyone seeking a lively evening out, but it may be tiring for young children or anyone sensitive to flashing lights and loud action. The show welcomes all ages, yet family-friendly does not mean low-stimulation.

I would also avoid bringing anything you do not need. Luggage, large bags, and backpacks are not allowed. Plan to arrive with only small personal items that comply with the venue’s rules, rather than treating the show as a place to store shopping bags or travel gear.

The medieval dinner: chicken, potatoes, and corn

Dinner is included with the show ticket, and the regular meal keeps things hearty and uncomplicated. You receive roasted chicken, lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, an apple square, and a dinner roll.

The meal is designed to fit the theme. Cutlery is not provided, so you eat with your hands, just as you might imagine at a rough medieval feast. That is part of the entertainment, though it can be messy. If you want a formal meal with careful table service, this will not be that kind of evening.

The food also gives the ticket more value. You are paying for a live performance and dinner together, not buying an additional restaurant meal before or after the show. The actual value depends on the ticket price you receive, but the included meal makes the package more useful for families planning a full evening at Excalibur.

The regular menu is listed as nut-free and peanut-free. That is helpful information, but you should still make any special request in advance and confirm your needs when booking.

Meal choices for different diets

The show offers several alternatives, but they must be handled before you arrive. Special meal requests need to be made no later than four hours before the show. Do not wait until you are seated in the arena.

The gluten-free meal includes roasted chicken, lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, and fresh fruit. It replaces the dinner roll and apple square with fruit.

The vegetarian meal includes pasta with marinara, lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, and fresh fruit. It is listed as nut-free and peanut-free.

The vegan and dairy-free meal includes pasta with marinara without cheese, potatoes without butter, corn without butter, and fresh fruit. This option is also listed as nut-free and peanut-free.

Children ages four through twelve can receive a separate children’s menu with chicken tenders, fries, and an apple square. The child menu is age-specific, so do not assume it applies to teenagers or adults.

One important limitation is the kosher meal. That option is currently unavailable. If kosher dining is essential for your party, this show may not meet your needs.

What the evening feels like for families

This show suits families who want an easy-to-follow story with plenty of movement. The combination of horses, knights, a jester, music, and a meal gives children several things to focus on. The included dinner also saves you from arranging a separate meal around the performance.

Children three and younger can attend free, but the lap policy deserves attention. A small child must sit on the accompanying adult’s lap and share that adult’s dinner. That may work for a toddler, but it can become uncomfortable during a full performance if the child needs more room.

Children four and older pay the full ticket price, receive their own seat, and get their own dinner. This rule can make the total cost rise quickly for a larger family, so count every child who is four or older when comparing the package with other Las Vegas evening shows.

Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Every child needs to attend with an adult, and the arena setting is not designed for children to manage on their own.

Is the included dinner good value?

Without a stated ticket price, I cannot give you a dollar-for-dollar verdict. I can give you the useful comparison: your ticket covers both the live performance and the medieval-style meal, so you should compare it with the combined cost of another show plus dinner in Las Vegas.

The value is strongest if you want a single planned evening. You arrive at Excalibur, take your seat, watch the production, and eat as part of the event. There is no need to find a separate restaurant that suits everyone in your group.

The package may be less attractive if you are mainly interested in a serious stage production or if your group has strict dining needs. The meal is simple, cutlery is absent, and the kosher option is unavailable. You should also factor in the full ticket price for children four and older.

For a family or first-time Las Vegas visitor, the combination has a clear advantage: it is easy to understand and easy to remember. You are not just watching a show. You are assigned a knight to cheer for, eating a themed meal, and sitting close to live action.

Who should book Tournament of Kings?

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy live stunts, horses, playful storytelling, and a meal that is part of the show. It works especially well for families with children old enough to sit through a staged performance and for adults who enjoy a little theatrical silliness with their spectacle.

It may also suit you if you want something different from Las Vegas concerts, magic shows, and stand-up comedy. The medieval theme gives the evening a clear identity, and the arena format makes it feel separate from a standard theater production.

I would be cautious if you have epilepsy, dislike strobe effects, or feel uneasy around horses. The same features that make the show exciting can make it uncomfortable. I would also think twice if you need a quiet meal, utensils, or a kosher option.

Pack lightly, submit meal requests at least four hours ahead, and remember that backpacks and large bags are not allowed. Those small preparations help you focus on the show once you are inside.

FAQ

Where is the Tournament of Kings show located?

The show takes place at Excalibur in Las Vegas, Nevada.

What is included with the ticket?

The ticket includes admission to the Tournament of Kings show and dinner.

What food is served on the regular menu?

The regular meal includes roasted chicken, lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, an apple square, and a dinner roll.

Do I get utensils with dinner?

No. Cutlery is not provided, so you eat the meal with your hands as part of the medieval theme.

Are special meals available?

Yes. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and dairy-free options are available. Special meal requests must be made no later than four hours before the show.

Can young children attend for free?

Children three years and younger may attend free of charge. They must sit on an adult’s lap and share the adult’s meal. Children four and older need a full-price ticket, their own seat, and their own dinner.

Who should not attend the show?

People with epilepsy should not attend because the show uses strobe lights. The performance also includes horses, pyrotechnics, smoke, and fog in an enclosed area, with seating close to the animals and dirt arena.

Should you book Tournament of Kings?

Book it if you want an energetic, family-friendly evening where dinner, story, and live action come in one package. The close arena seating, real horses, jousting, and hand-eaten meal give it a strong sense of occasion.

Skip it if you need a calm theater, a formal dinner, or a kosher meal. For everyone else, especially families and first-time Las Vegas visitors, Tournament of Kings offers a clear idea of what it is: King Arthur, knights, horses, comic characters, and a messy feast served with plenty of spectacle.