Tournament of Kings Dinner and Show at Excalibur Hotel and Casino

Knights, horses, fire, and a feast await. Tournament of Kings turns dinner into a loud, playful medieval contest, with each section of the arena cheering for its own king. I like the real horses and close-up swordplay, and I like how the show gets children and adults shouting together. The main drawback is the simple meal: chicken, potatoes, corn, bread, and dessert are filling, but quality can vary.

This 90-minute production at Excalibur costs about $79.60 per person, including the show, dinner, taxes, and fees. It is a strong pick for families and anyone who wants classic Las Vegas spectacle rather than a quiet theater performance. Plan for a little crowd management at the entrance, and remember that dinner is served without utensils.

Key points to know before you book

• The arena is divided into kingdoms: Your seating section represents a country, and you cheer for its assigned king throughout the contest.
• The action uses real horses and swords: Jousting, riding, staged combat, and stunt work give the show more physical punch than a standard stage production.
• Dinner is eaten medieval-style: Expect roasted chicken or Cornish game hen, potatoes, corn, a roll, and apple dessert, all served without forks or spoons.
• Fire and smoke are part of the show: Pyrotechnics, strobe lighting, fog, smoke, dust, and loud action happen in an enclosed dirt arena.
• Families are the natural audience: Children get a clear team to support, while adults can enjoy the comedy, costumes, music, riding, and spectacle.
• Arrive ready for a busy entrance: The line may look long before doors open, but it can move quickly once admission begins.

Entering King Arthur’s Arena at Excalibur

Tournament of Kings takes place inside 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 complex, and the show is not simply beside the main hotel entrance. Give yourself enough time to park, walk through the casino, find the box office area, and deal with the admission line. A mobile ticket is provided, but keep your phone ready and make sure the ticket opens properly before you reach the entrance.

The theater uses a circular arena layout. Each section is assigned a country, and your side has a king to support. This seating arrangement makes the room feel more like a contest than a conventional dinner theater. You are not just watching from a dark auditorium. You are part of one of the cheering factions.

The show has received a 4.4 rating from 464 ratings, which fits its appeal. It is broad, noisy, physical entertainment designed to get a reaction. If you prefer subtle acting or a refined meal, this may feel basic. If you enjoy cheering, spectacle, and a little theatrical silliness, the format works well.

Merlin explains the rules before the feast

The performance begins with Merlin, the wizard, explaining the setup. Each part of the arena is a country, and each country has a king. You are encouraged to cheer for your own ruler, so it helps to commit to the game early.

That simple idea is the show’s best device. It gives children an immediate role, and it keeps the audience involved even when the action shifts from one side of the arena to another. You may leave with a hoarse voice if you take your kingdom seriously.

King Arthur then gathers the rulers of Europe for a banquet and competition. The kings display their riding and knightly skills on horseback, with jousting, swordplay, and staged battles. The use of live horses brings a physical presence that recorded effects cannot match. You can see the animals moving close to the seating areas, so the event feels more immediate than a regular stage show.

The story is easy to follow. Arthur offers hospitality, but the evil wizard Mordred invades the gathering. The kings must put aside their rivalry and unite against him. You do not need any background in Arthurian legend, and the plot is clear enough for children.

The production mixes heroic posturing with comedy, dancing, stunt work, and audience participation. Some scenes are deliberately over-the-top. That is part of the bargain. This is medieval fantasy filtered through old-school Las Vegas showmanship, not a serious historical reconstruction.

Dinner arrives without forks or spoons

The meal is served during the performance. The standard dinner includes roasted seasoned Cornish game hen or slow-roasted chicken, lemon pepper roasted red potatoes, corn on the cob, a dinner roll, and an apple square for dessert. The description calls it a two-course meal, with the main course followed by the sweet finish.

You eat with your hands. That sounds like a small gimmick, but it helps connect the meal to the show’s medieval theme. It also means you should expect a practical, casual dinner rather than polished table service. Napkins matter, and you may want to avoid wearing clothing that cannot handle a little mess.

Food quality is the least consistent part of the experience. Some meals are described as well-seasoned, hot, and satisfying, while other diners found the chicken dry or the potatoes and corn less fresh. The portions are generally described as adequate, and the meal gives you enough food to make the ticket feel more substantial than a show-only admission.

I would set your expectations at hearty banquet food, not a Las Vegas fine-dining experience. The chicken, potatoes, corn, and bread are familiar and filling. The warm apple square is a pleasant ending, and several people particularly liked the dessert. At $79.60, the dinner helps the value, especially if you are comparing the evening with a separate show ticket and restaurant meal.

Special meals can be requested, but you need to call the Excalibur box office at least four hours before showtime. Available options include vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-allergy, kosher, and kids meals. Kosher meals require 72 hours of advance notice, so do not wait until the afternoon of the performance.

Jousting, sword fights, and a very loud arena

The main attraction is the physical action. Knights ride horses around the dirt arena, compete in riding events, and face each other with staged weapons. The combat includes real swords, according to the experience details provided for the production, and the performers combine riding skill with choreographed fighting.

You sit close to the dirt arena and horses. That proximity makes the action exciting, but it also explains the warnings about dust, horse sensitivity, smoke, and enclosed effects. The production uses pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke, and fog. If you have asthma, allergies, or a respiratory condition, you should attend only after considering those conditions carefully.

The fire effects are a major part of the spectacle. They give the later battles a sharp Las Vegas punch and help keep the show from feeling like a simple jousting demonstration. The tradeoff is noise and sensory intensity. This is not a calm event for a young child who dislikes sudden light, smoke, or loud sound.

The performers also work the audience. They call for cheers, build up the rivalry between sections, and encourage you to back your king. That interaction is repeatedly praised because it makes the evening feel active. You are not expected to sit quietly and judge the acting. You are expected to choose a side and make some noise.

The dancing adds variety between the mounted events. It also gives the show a change of pace, especially for children who may need a break from the combat. The actors and dancers carry much of the comic and theatrical energy, while the horses provide the most memorable physical moments.

How the 90-minute evening feels

The stated duration is about one hour and 30 minutes. That is long enough to feel like a full night out, but short enough for most children to manage. Dinner is folded into the performance, so you are occupied from the opening introduction through the final confrontation.

The evening follows a straightforward rhythm:

• Merlin establishes the kingdoms and the rules.
• King Arthur welcomes the rival rulers.
• Dinner is served as the kings display their skills.
• Riding, jousting, dancing, swordplay, and special effects build the contest.
• Mordred’s invasion creates the central conflict.
• The kings unite for the final battle.

The structure works best if you treat it as a family event rather than a serious drama. The story gives the action a reason, but the real pleasure comes from cheering, horses, costumes, music, fire, and the feeling that your section is part of the competition.

Service is usually quick enough to keep the meal moving alongside the show. Staff friendliness and smooth service are strong parts of the evening, though a busy entrance can test your patience before you sit down. One practical tip: if the show starts at 8:30 p.m., arriving close to 8 p.m. may still put you behind a long line. The line can move quickly once admission begins, but I would not cut it close.

Who will enjoy this most

Families with children who love knights, horses, and competition are the clearest match. Children age four and older receive their own seats and meals, while children three and younger may attend free, sit on a parent or guardian’s lap, and share that adult’s meal.

The show also works for adults traveling without children. Couples and friends can enjoy the sword fights, special effects, dancers, and the deliberately silly idea of cheering for a kingdom. It can be a good first-night activity because the rules are easy, the entertainment starts quickly, and you do not need to know anything about Las Vegas shows beforehand.

I would be more cautious about booking it for someone who dislikes noise, staged violence, horses, smoke, dust, or audience participation. The enclosed arena puts you close to all of those elements. It is also not the best choice if your priority is a sophisticated menu or a quiet evening.

The show is smoke-free in the ordinary casino sense, but that does not mean the arena is free of theatrical smoke or fog. The production itself uses smoke effects, so keep that distinction in mind.

Getting there, parking, and ticket details

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. Parking and valet fees are also separate, so include those costs when you compare the $79.60 ticket price with other Las Vegas dinner shows.

Excalibur is near public transportation, and the venue has accessible seating options. If you need accessible seating, include that request when booking. All bags may be searched, and backpacks, luggage, and similar large items are not allowed inside the showroom.

Your ticket category is selected at booking. Since the theater is built around opposing sections, seating location affects how close you feel to the action and how strongly you identify with your assigned kingdom. The available category and final seat placement should be checked carefully before you pay.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, the ticket is nonrefundable, and late changes are not accepted.

A mobile ticket should make entry simple, but check the ticket details in advance. One booking problem involved tickets that had to be exchanged at the box office before admission. That is not a reason to avoid the show, but it is a reason to arrive early enough to fix a ticket issue without missing the opening.

Is $79.60 a fair Las Vegas price?

At $79.60 per person, the value depends on how much you want from the meal. You receive a 90-minute live production, horse action, swordplay, dancing, pyrotechnics, audience participation, dinner, dessert, taxes, and handling fees. For a family, combining dinner and entertainment can make the evening easier and more economical than arranging both separately.

The meal itself does not justify the price on its own. It is basic food, and the chicken can be dry on an off night. The show is what carries the ticket. If you would gladly pay for a lively family performance and view the dinner as a useful extra, the cost is reasonable.

I also like that the experience requires little planning once you reach Excalibur. You do not need to choose a separate restaurant, find a second venue, or explain a complex story to children. The show tells you when to cheer, when to eat, and what conflict to follow.

My verdict on Tournament of Kings

Book Tournament of Kings if you want a high-energy, family-friendly Las Vegas night built around horses, sword fights, fire, and cheering. It is especially well suited to children, first-time Las Vegas visitors, and adults who enjoy theatrical spectacle with a playful edge.

Skip it if you want gourmet food, subtle theater, or a peaceful dinner. The menu is simple, the audience participation is loud, and smoke, dust, strobes, and horses are part of the setting.

For the best experience, request any special meal early, arrive with time to find the arena, keep your mobile ticket ready, and choose your kingdom with enthusiasm. The food may be ordinary, but the combination of live horses, close action, and a room full of cheering factions gives the evening its value.

FAQ

Where is Tournament of Kings located at Excalibur?

Enter Excalibur and walk toward the center box office. Take the stairs down, turn left at the bottom, and the arena will be on your right.

How long does the show last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

What is included with the ticket?

The ticket includes admission to the show, the selected seating category, a two-course dinner, taxes, fees, and handling charges.

What food is normally served?

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

Can children attend the show?

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

Can special diets be accommodated?

Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-allergy, kosher, and kids meals may be available by request. Call the Excalibur box office at least four hours before showtime. Kosher meals require 72 hours of advance notice.

Are bags and alcohol allowed inside?

Bags may be searched, and backpacks, luggage, and similar items are prohibited in the showroom. Alcohol can be purchased during the show by ordering through your server.