Tournament of Kings Dinner and Show at Excalibur Hotel and Casino

Knights, horses, fire, and dinner collide here. At Excalibur’s King Arthur’s Arena, you cheer for your assigned king while live horses, sword fights, jousting, dancers, pyrotechnics, and a medieval story unfold around you. The setting is playful rather than historically exact, but that is part of the fun.

I love the audience participation. You are not sitting quietly in the dark. Merlin assigns each arena section a country, then you cheer for your king and can easily lose your voice doing it. I also like the simple medieval meal: roasted chicken or Cornish game hen, potatoes, vegetables, bread, and apple dessert, served without forks or spoons.

The main drawback is the food. Some diners find the chicken tasty and well seasoned, while others find it dry and the vegetables or potatoes less fresh. At about $79.60 per person, the show carries most of the value, so book this for the spectacle rather than for a fine dining experience.

Key Points to Know Before You Book

• Real horses and live swordplay: The action takes place in a dirt arena, with knights riding, jousting, and fighting with real swords.
• You cheer for a country: Merlin divides the audience into sections, making the crowd part of the competition.
• Dinner is eaten medieval-style: Expect chicken, potatoes, vegetables, bread, and apple square, with no utensils provided.
• Fire and smoke are part of the show: Pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke, and fog add excitement but may trouble people with asthma, allergies, or sensitivity to dust and horses.
• Best for families and first-time visitors: Children and adults can follow the simple story and enjoy the loud, physical action.
• Plan extra arrival time: The entrance line can be long before the doors open, though it may move quickly once admission begins.

Entering King Arthur’s Arena at Excalibur

Tournament of Kings is held inside the Excalibur Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Once inside, walk toward the center box office, take the stairs down, and turn left at the bottom. The arena is on your right.

That route matters because Excalibur is a large casino, and the show entrance is not immediately obvious from the main doors. Your mobile ticket is convenient, but keep it ready and allow time to find the showroom. Bags can be searched, and backpacks, luggage, and similar items are not allowed inside.

The experience lasts about one hour and 30 minutes. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, and parking or valet fees are not included, so factor those costs into your evening if you are driving. Excalibur is near public transportation, which makes the show fairly easy to reach without a car.

The arena itself is enclosed, with the audience seated close to the dirt floor and the horses. That closeness helps the action feel immediate. It also means dust, animal smells, smoke, and loud effects are part of the deal. If you have asthma, allergies, or a strong sensitivity to horses, dirt, smoke, or pyrotechnics, think carefully before reserving.

Merlin Sets the Rules for Your Country

The show opens with Merlin, who explains the basic setup. Each section of the arena represents a country, and each country has its own king. Your job is to cheer for yours.

This simple idea does a lot of work. You do not need to know medieval history, recognize the characters, or follow a complicated plot. The instructions are clear, and the people around you quickly get involved. The noise builds as each section tries to outdo the others.

The story then brings King Arthur and the rulers of Europe together for a banquet and a test of knightly skill. That peaceful gathering does not last. The evil wizard Mordred invades, and the kings must unite against him.

The plot is broad, theatrical, and easy to follow. You should not expect a quiet historical drama or a carefully researched account of medieval politics. This is a family show built around loyalty, rivalry, rescue, and spectacle. That makes it a good choice when different ages in your group need the same entertainment.

A Medieval Dinner Without Forks or Spoons

The meal arrives as part of the performance. The standard dinner includes roasted seasoned Cornish game hen or chicken, lemon pepper roasted red potatoes, corn or seasonal vegetables, a dinner roll, and an apple square for dessert. The exact menu can change.

You eat with your hands, just as the show’s medieval theme suggests. That detail is a small but important part of the experience, especially for children. It also changes your expectations. This is not a plated restaurant meal with several courses and polished presentation. It is a hearty banquet designed to be served efficiently while the action continues.

The food receives mixed but generally favorable reactions. The chicken can be nicely seasoned and tender, and several diners find the meal filling. Others report dry chicken, bland seasoning, older potatoes, or unimpressive corn. Portions are adequate, but the menu is basic.

I would describe the meal as functional and enjoyable when you treat it as part of the show. If you are hoping for Las Vegas dining at its best, this will not meet that standard. If you want a warm dinner delivered to your seat while knights battle in front of you, it does the job well.

A drink is typically available for purchase through your server, including alcoholic options. You can raise a stein and toast the fighters during the show. Special meals may be available if you request them in advance. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, kosher, and children’s meals are listed as possible choices. Call the Excalibur box office at least four hours before showtime for most requests. Kosher meals require 72 hours of notice.

Jousting, Sword Fights, and Horses in the Dirt Arena

The central attraction is the live action. Knights ride horses around the arena, test their skills, and face one another in combat. Jousting gives the production its classic medieval image, but the show also uses sword fights, riding stunts, acting, dance, and special effects.

The horses are a major reason to attend. Seeing trained animals move through the arena while performers ride and fight gives the production weight that a screen-based show cannot match. The action happens at close range, so you can feel the energy even if you are not deeply interested in the story.

The swordplay is theatrical, but real swords are used as part of the performance. The combination of horses, armor, movement, and cheering creates the evening’s strongest moments.

The effects add another layer. Expect pyrotechnics, smoke, fog, and strobe lights. These features help turn the arena into a stage for a large battle, though they can be intense in an enclosed room. The show is loud and physical, and you may find yourself shouting encouragement from the first contest to the final clash.

The production does not ask much of you as a spectator. You do not need to read program notes or understand a long backstory. Watch the riders, follow your king, and enjoy the cheers.

Why Children Usually Love It, and Adults Can Too

Tournament of Kings is especially well suited to families. Children can see horses, knights, armor, fire, and comic villains without needing to sit through a complicated theatrical production. The meal is also part of the entertainment, since eating with your hands gives younger children something active to do.

Adults without children can still have a good night. The show has enough stunt work and stage energy to carry the evening, and the crowd participation can be funny when a whole section takes its country seriously. The dancing and acting add variety between the contests.

This is not a subtle show. It is loud, direct, and intentionally old-fashioned in its storytelling. If you prefer intimate theater, quiet comedy, or refined food, you might find it too basic. If you want a cheerful break from casino floors and restaurant reservations, it offers a clear change of pace.

The production also works well for a first night in Las Vegas. You get dinner, a full performance, and a recognizable Strip setting in one reservation. It can serve as an easy anchor for your evening rather than another stop that requires planning across town.

Timing, Seating, and Getting Through the Door

The show’s advertised duration is about 90 minutes, but give yourself more time for the route through the hotel and the entrance process. One family arriving around 8 p.m. for an 8:30 p.m. show found the line already long. Once admission began, the line moved quickly and people were seated and served drinks without much delay.

That is useful advice: do not arrive at the last minute simply because the performance is under two hours. Reach Excalibur early enough to find the box office, get downstairs, clear the entrance, and settle into your assigned section.

Your ticket category is selected at booking, so check the seating details before paying. Accessible seating options are available. If you need them, request accessible seating in the special requirements area when booking.

Children of all ages are allowed. Children age three and younger may attend free, sit on a parent or guardian’s lap, and share that adult’s meal. Children age four and older need a full-price ticket, their own seat, and their own dinner. Anyone under 16 must attend with an adult.

Restrooms are available during the show. Still, I would use the facilities before taking your seat so you do not miss the action or disturb the people around you.

Is $79.60 a Fair Price?

At $79.60 per person, the ticket is not cheap, but it combines a live show and dinner in a central Strip hotel. Taxes, fees, and handling charges are included, which makes the displayed price easier to compare with other Las Vegas entertainment.

The value depends on what you want from the evening. If you price the meal alone, the food is modest. You are paying for the horses, performers, arena production, special effects, service, and the novelty of cheering as part of the story.

I think the price works best for families, groups, and first-time visitors who want one complete activity. It is less compelling for someone focused mainly on gourmet food or someone who has already seen several large-scale Las Vegas productions.

The show also avoids the need for a second evening reservation. You sit down, receive dinner, and watch the story unfold. For a busy Las Vegas schedule, that convenience has real value.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so keep the cutoff in mind before finalizing your plans.

The Good and the Less Good

The strongest parts are clear:

• The horses make the action feel real and immediate.
• The audience cheering gives you a role instead of leaving you as a passive spectator.
• The show suits children, adults, and mixed-age groups.
• Fire effects, strobe lights, smoke, and swordplay keep the pace moving.
• Service is generally quick, helping the dinner fit neatly into the performance.

The weaker points are just as clear:

• The meal is simple, and quality can vary.
• Chicken may be dry, while potatoes, corn, or vegetables may seem bland.
• The dirt arena can create dust and the close seating puts you near horses.
• The show can be loud, smoky, and visually intense.
• A ticket issue is possible if your mobile voucher does not scan correctly. Keep the ticket information handy and, if needed, be prepared to visit the box office.

The show does not pretend to be refined. Its appeal comes from direct entertainment and crowd energy. That honesty helps you decide if it fits your style.

Who Should Book Tournament of Kings?

I would recommend it to families with children, couples looking for a playful evening, and groups that enjoy cheering, action, and a little harmless competition. It is also a strong pick if you want a memorable first-night activity without arranging separate dinner and theater plans.

You should consider another show if you dislike loud effects, horses, dust, smoke, or eating with your hands. I would also skip it if the quality of the meal matters more to you than the performance.

For most people, the right expectation is simple: come for the knights, horses, audience participation, and fire. Regard dinner as part of the theater, not the reason to make the reservation. With that approach, the $79.60 price makes more sense, and the evening has a good chance of ending with a sore voice and a smile.

FAQ

Where is Tournament of Kings held?

The show is held in King Arthur’s Arena inside the Excalibur Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. Enter the hotel, walk toward the center box office, take the stairs down, and turn left at the bottom. The arena is on the right.

How long does the show last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

What food is served during the show?

The usual dinner includes roasted seasoned Cornish game hen or chicken, lemon pepper roasted red potatoes, corn or seasonal vegetables, a dinner roll, and an apple square. The menu can change.

Do I need to bring utensils?

No. The meal is served in medieval style, and you eat with your hands rather than using forks or spoons.

Can children attend Tournament of Kings?

Yes. All ages are welcome. Children age three and younger may attend free, sit on a parent or guardian’s lap, and share that adult’s meal. Children age four and older require a full-price ticket and their own seat and dinner. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Can the show accommodate special diets?

Special meals may be available for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, kosher, and children’s diets. Request most accommodations at least four hours before showtime by calling the Excalibur box office. Kosher meals require 72 hours of advance notice.

Is the arena accessible?

Yes. Accessible seating options are available. Request accessible seating in the special requirements section when booking.