Tournament of Kings Dinner and Show at Excalibur Hotel and Casino

The best part of Tournament of Kings is that you do not sit quietly and watch a stage show. You are assigned to a section of King Arthur’s arena, treated as a country, and told to cheer for its king. Real horses, sword fights, jousting, smoke, and fire effects turn dinner into a noisy team sport.

I like the direct audience involvement, especially for families. I also like the simple, filling meal served during the action, with chicken, potatoes, vegetables, bread, and apple dessert. The main drawback is that the food is basic, and the chicken or vegetables may not suit diners expecting a polished restaurant meal. The arena is also close to horses, dirt, dust, and pyrotechnics.

Key points to know before you book

• Your section becomes a country: Merlin explains the rules, then your side cheers for its assigned king.
• The horses are part of the action: Knights ride, joust, and fight with real swords in the enclosed arena.
• Dinner is served without utensils: Expect roasted chicken, potatoes, corn or seasonal vegetables, a roll, and apple square.
• The show runs about 90 minutes: It combines a story, comedy, dancing, stunts, battles, and special effects.
• Arrive early for smoother entry: Lines can build before showtime, though admission may move quickly once doors open.
• The $79.60 price includes the main package: Your ticket, selected seating category, dinner, taxes, fees, and handling are included.

A medieval arena inside the Excalibur

Tournament of Kings takes place in King Arthur’s Arena at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. The setting does much of the work. Instead of a conventional theater with a stage in front, you sit around a dirt arena where the action takes place close to the audience.

That layout matters. You are not simply watching knights from a distance. Horses pass through the arena, weapons clash, and the performers play to the sections around them. The show uses smoke, fog, strobe lights, and pyrotechnics, so the room feels loud and active from the first major entrance.

I like the way the production gives you a role before the story gets moving. Merlin arrives and explains that each part of the arena represents a country. Every country has a king, and your job is to cheer for yours. That small instruction changes the mood. Children quickly understand the contest, while adults can join in without needing to take the story too seriously.

The show is intentionally broad and theatrical. It is not a quiet lesson in medieval Europe. Think of it as a family dinner show built around Arthurian characters, horse riding, comic conflict, and a clear good-versus-evil plot.

Merlin, King Arthur, and the setup

The opening introduces Merlin, King Arthur, and the rulers of Europe. The audience becomes part of Arthur’s gathering, invited to a banquet and a competition meant to test the kings and their knights.

This setup gives the show a useful rhythm. First, you learn which side you support. Then you watch the kings demonstrate their riding and combat skills. The cheering builds as the sections compete with one another, and the performers regularly encourage the noise.

The story takes a darker turn when the evil wizard Mordred interrupts Arthur’s hospitality. His invasion forces the kings to put aside their rivalry and unite against a common enemy. The plot is easy to follow, which is helpful when the room is loud and several things are happening at once.

I would not book this for subtle character writing. The appeal is physical performance and participation. You get a clear story, but the horses, swordplay, costumes, dancing, and audience response are the real focus.

Jousting, swords, horses, and fire

The central action includes knights on horseback, jousting, sword fights, riding displays, and battles between the kings and their forces. The use of real horses gives the show a weight that a standard stage production cannot match. You can see the animals moving through the dirt arena, often fairly close to the seating.

The sword fights use real swords, and the show adds pyrotechnics, smoke, fog, and strobe lighting. These effects help create a sense of danger and excitement, though they also make the experience loud and intense. If you are sensitive to flashing lights, smoke, dust, horses, or enclosed spaces, you should think carefully before booking.

The horses are carefully trained for the performance, but this remains a working animal show in a dirt arena. Dust can be part of the setting, and the production specifically warns people with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory concerns to attend at their own risk.

The effects are one of the reasons the show works for mixed-age groups. A child may focus on the horses and knights, while an adult may enjoy the choreography, costumes, or comic moments. The production also includes dancers, and the performers make a point of bringing the audience into the action.

Eating the two-course medieval dinner

Dinner is part of the show, not a separate meal before it. You are served while the performance unfolds, so your attention will move between your plate, the arena, and your section’s cheering duties.

The standard meal includes roasted chicken or Cornish game hen, lemon pepper roasted red potatoes, corn or seasonal vegetables, a dinner roll, and an apple square for dessert. The meal is hearty rather than elaborate. You should expect familiar comfort food, not a tasting menu.

The medieval touch is that you eat with your hands. There are no forks or spoons for the standard service. That can be amusing for children and adds to the theatrical idea, but it is also worth knowing in advance if you prefer a tidy dinner or have mobility concerns involving your hands.

Food quality can vary by item and by personal taste. The chicken has been described as nicely seasoned and tender, but some diners find it dry. Potatoes and vegetables may be perfectly serviceable, while others may find them bland or less fresh than they hoped. Portions are generally enough to make the meal feel like a real dinner, especially with the bread and dessert.

I see the food as part of the value, not the reason to book on its own. If you would be satisfied with chicken, potatoes, vegetables, bread, and an apple pastry at a casual event, the meal fits the evening. If dinner is a major part of your Las Vegas entertainment budget, you may want to choose the show for its action and treat the meal as a useful extra.

You can order alcohol during the show through your server. A toast to the combatants is part of the atmosphere, though drinks are not listed as included in the ticket price.

What the 90-minute schedule feels like

The stated duration is about one hour and 30 minutes. That is a good length for a dinner show. You get enough time for the story and battles without committing an entire evening to one attraction.

The early part is devoted to the kings, countries, and audience participation. The middle portion builds through riding and competition, while the conflict with Mordred pushes the action toward its final battles. Dinner service runs alongside the performance.

Because several things happen at once, you may miss a small piece of dialogue while cheering or eating. That is not a major problem. The story is simple enough to follow, and the most important moments are visual.

The show is loud, interactive, and energetic. You may leave hoarse if you take the cheering seriously. That is part of the fun, but it is not the right setting for someone seeking a quiet meal or a low-key theater performance.

Getting into King Arthur’s Arena

Inside Excalibur, walk toward the center box office. Take the stairs down, then turn left at the bottom. The arena is on the right.

The show has a mobile ticket option, which is convenient, but keep your ticket ready before joining the line. One ticket problem has been reported in which replacement tickets had to be collected at the box office downstairs, so it is sensible to check the ticket details before you commit to the entrance queue.

Arrive early, especially for a popular evening performance. A line can already be long before showtime. Once the doors open, the line may move quickly, but you still need time to find the box office area, walk downstairs, deal with ticket questions, and get seated.

Backpacks, luggage, and similar items are not allowed in the showroom, and bags may be searched. Parking and valet charges are not included. Excalibur is near public transportation, so you can reach the hotel without arranging hotel pickup. No hotel pickup or drop-off is provided with the experience.

Accessible seating is available. If you need it, request accessible seating at checkout. Restrooms are available for the audience during the show.

Is $79.60 a fair Las Vegas price?

At $79.60 per person, the ticket covers the selected seating category, the show, the two-course dinner, taxes, fees, and handling charges. That makes the comparison fairly simple: you are paying for a live production and a meal in one package.

The value is strongest if you want an all-ages evening with a fixed activity and dinner already arranged. You do not need to choose a restaurant afterward, and the show gives you a full 90-minute block of entertainment. For a family, that structure can be easier than trying to keep everyone interested during a long restaurant meal.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a high-end dinner or a serious theater production. The food is basic, and the story is designed for easy participation rather than complexity. I would choose it for the horses, jousting, effects, and shared cheering, not for fine dining.

The experience is typically booked about 27 days ahead, so popular showtimes may be worth reserving early. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Who should choose this show?

Families with children are the clearest match. Children age 4 and older receive their own seats and dinner, while children age 3 and younger may attend free but must sit on a parent or guardian’s lap and share that adult’s meal. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

You do not need to bring children to enjoy it. Couples, friends, and adults on a first Las Vegas visit can have a good time if they are willing to cheer, eat with their hands, and accept the playful tone. The show can also be a memorable first-night activity because the service, meal, and entertainment are handled in one place.

I would be cautious if you have asthma, strong allergies, or sensitivity to dust, horses, smoke, fog, or flashing lights. The arena puts you close to the animals and effects. People who dislike loud audience participation may also find the format tiring.

Special meals may be available if requested in advance. Options listed include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut allergy, kosher, and kids meals. Call the Excalibur Box Office at the number on your ticket at least four hours before showtime for most requests. Kosher meals require 72 hours of advance notice.

Should you book Tournament of Kings?

Book it if you want a lively, family-friendly dinner show with real horses, jousting, sword fights, audience cheering, and fire effects. It is especially useful when you want one straightforward Las Vegas plan that includes both dinner and entertainment.

Skip it if you want a quiet meal, refined food, or a serious historical drama. The menu is simple, the arena can be dusty and loud, and some production effects may bother sensitive visitors.

For the right audience, the $79.60 price is reasonable because you get a full show, a filling meal, and an evening activity that works across age groups. Choose a showtime that lets you arrive early, check your mobile ticket, and settle into the country cheering for your king.

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.

How do I find the arena inside Excalibur?

Enter the hotel and walk toward the center box office. Take the stairs down, turn left at the bottom, and find the arena on the right.

How long does Tournament of Kings last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

What food is included?

The typical dinner includes roasted seasoned Cornish game hen or chicken, lemon pepper roasted red potatoes, corn on the cob or seasonal vegetables, a dinner roll, and apple square dessert. The menu may change.

Do I need utensils for dinner?

No. The meal is served in medieval style, and you eat the standard dinner with your hands. There are no forks or spoons.

Are drinks included with the ticket?

The ticket includes the show and dinner, but alcoholic drinks are not listed as included. You can order alcohol from your server during the show.

Can young children attend?

Yes. All ages are welcome. Children age 3 and younger may attend free, sit on a parent or guardian’s lap, and share that adult’s meal. Children age 4 and older need a full-price ticket and receive their own seat and dinner.

Can I request a special meal?

Special meals may be available if requested at least four hours before showtime. Listed options include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut allergy, kosher, and kids meals. Kosher meals require 72 hours of advance notice.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refunded.