Las Vegas: Tournament of Kings Show at Excalibur

King Arthur’s court comes to life in a dirt arena, where knights race on horseback, joust and fight with swords while pyrotechnics and other effects build the drama. At Tournament of Kings, you are not just watching a stage show: you sit close to the horses and cheer for your knight as the story unfolds around the arena.

I like two things in particular: the live horse action, which gives the contests real movement and scale, and the included dinner, which turns the show into a full evening activity rather than a ticket to a performance alone. The menu also has vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, though special meals need to be requested in advance.

One thing to weigh is the close-up setting. Horses, smoke, fog, strobe lights and pyrotechnics are part of the show, and the arena is enclosed. If you are sensitive to those effects, have epilepsy, or would rather not eat with your hands, this may not be the right choice.

What to know before you book

• The arena is part of the action: You sit near horses and a dirt floor as riders compete in races, jousting and sword fights.
• The plot draws on King Arthur: Expect a tale of bravery and treachery, with King Arthur, maidens and a court jester in the mix.
• Dinner comes with your ticket: The standard meal includes roasted chicken, potatoes, corn, an apple square and a dinner roll.
• Cutlery is not provided: You eat with your hands, in keeping with the medieval theme.
• Special diets need advance notice: Request a special meal no later than four hours before the show. Kosher meals are currently unavailable.
• Sensory effects are part of the production: Horses, pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke and fog appear in an enclosed arena.

Knights, horses and King Arthur’s court

Tournament of Kings builds its story around King Arthur and his court, then gives that tale a physical setting: a dirt arena ringed with seating. The action is easy to grasp even if you do not know the story in advance. Knights compete in tests of horsemanship and skill, while the larger plot adds bravery and treachery to the contests.

The main draw is the horses. Riders race and joust, and the arena setting puts you close enough to feel that this is a live performance with animals moving through the space, not a sequence of scenes watched from a distant stage. Sword fighting adds another layer of action. If your idea of a night out leans toward polished musical theatre, this is a different sort of spectacle: direct, physical and built around the contest.

There is more than combat on the program. Maidens sing and dance, the court jester brings comic business, and King Arthur appears as the story’s central figure. Those changes of pace help keep the show from becoming one long series of fights. They also give the production a broad, family-friendly tone, though the scale and sound effects may still be a lot for some children.

You are encouraged to cheer for your knight. That simple invitation gives the arena a participatory feel without asking you to perform or leave your seat. If you are going with children, the rivalry can make the action easier to follow: pick a knight, watch the contests and keep track of who is winning.

A dirt arena, not a distant stage

The seating arrangement is central to the experience. You are placed around the arena, close to the horses and the dirt floor. That proximity makes the riding and contests more immediate, but it is worth considering before you buy. If you prefer a quiet, spacious performance with a clear boundary between audience and action, this setup may feel intense.

The production also uses pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke and fog in an enclosed area. These effects support the dramatic story, but they are practical details, not fine print to skim. The show is not suitable for people with epilepsy. If you are sensitive to flashing lights, loud effects or smoke, consider whether the setting will be comfortable for you.

The closeness to the horses is part of the appeal, yet it also means this is not a reserved seat far from the action. The provided information does not specify the exact seating layout or how individual sections relate to each knight, so I would not count on choosing a particular view unless that is confirmed when booking. The key point is that you are watching from around the arena, not from a conventional theatre row facing a single stage.

Dinner, served without forks

The meal is included with the show ticket, so you can treat the evening as dinner and entertainment in one. That can be useful in Las Vegas, where a separate meal and ticket can turn a simple outing into a more involved plan. The food is hearty rather than elaborate, and the medieval theme continues at the table: cutlery is not provided, so you eat with your hands.

The regular meal is roasted chicken with lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, an apple square and a dinner roll. It is nut-free and peanut-free. For children ages four through twelve, the listed meal is chicken tenders, fries and an apple square.

There are also several alternatives. The gluten-free meal includes roasted chicken, lemon pepper potatoes, corn and fresh fruit. The vegetarian meal is pasta with marinara, potatoes, corn and fresh fruit. The vegan and dairy-free option is pasta with marinara without cheese, potatoes without butter, corn without butter and fresh fruit. The vegetarian option is also nut-free and peanut-free, as is the vegan option.

If you need one of these meals, make the request no later than four hours before the show. The kosher meal option is currently unavailable. Do not assume that a special meal can be arranged on arrival; plan ahead and confirm the request before showtime.

The hands-only meal is part of the fun for some people, especially children who enjoy a night that feels different from a restaurant dinner. For others, it may be inconvenient, particularly if you have dietary or practical needs that make eating without utensils difficult. It is better to know this before you sit down than to discover it with a plate in front of you.

What the ticket includes, and what that means for value

Your ticket includes both the show and dinner. That bundled format makes the value easier to judge than a performance ticket alone: you are paying for a staged story, live horse action, special effects and a meal in one outing. No ticket price is provided here, so I cannot say whether a particular rate is a bargain. Compare the total cost with what you would otherwise spend on dinner and an evening activity.

The best value is for people who want a self-contained evening and are happy with a hearty, simple meal. If you would rather choose your own restaurant, or you expect a broad menu, the dinner may matter less to you. The included food is specific and fairly straightforward, with a handful of dietary alternatives rather than a full restaurant-style selection.

Think of the show as entertainment first, with dinner as part of the format. The meal supports the medieval theme, but the core reason to book is the arena production and its horses. If you are mainly seeking fine dining, this is not the right match. If you want an activity that combines a show and a casual dinner without planning two separate stops, the package is more compelling.

Bringing children and planning around the rules

All ages are welcome. Children three and younger may attend free, but they must sit on an adult’s lap and share that adult’s meal. Children four and older need a full-price ticket and receive their own seat and dinner. That age cutoff matters when working out the cost for a family, so include it in your budget before booking.

The show can suit families who enjoy knights, horses and theatrical action. The combination of contests, music and comic performance offers different points of interest, and children can follow the simple idea of cheering for a knight. Still, the sound and visual effects, enclosed arena and nearby horses may not suit every child. Consider your child’s comfort with those things rather than relying only on the all-ages policy.

Large bags, luggage and backpacks are not allowed. Keep your belongings small and leave travel bags elsewhere before heading to the show. Unaccompanied minors are also not allowed, so children need to attend with an adult.

Is Tournament of Kings right for you?

Book this if you want a lively, themed evening with horseback action, jousting, sword fighting and dinner included. It is especially well suited to families with children who are old enough to enjoy a noisy, dramatic production, and to anyone who likes the idea of cheering for a knight rather than sitting through a quiet performance.

Think twice if you have epilepsy, are sensitive to strobe lights or smoke, dislike close proximity to horses, or want a conventional meal with cutlery. The experience’s strongest qualities are also its defining conditions: the action is close, the effects are part of the show, and dinner is eaten by hand.

For a self-contained Las Vegas outing, it offers a clear combination of spectacle and supper. Check the meal details, make any dietary request at least four hours ahead, and decide whether the arena’s close-up format sounds exciting or uncomfortable. If the horses and medieval contest are the draw, this is a distinctive way to spend an evening at Excalibur.

FAQ

Where is Tournament of Kings held?

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

Is dinner included with the ticket?

Yes. The ticket includes the show and dinner.

What is served with the regular meal?

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

Are vegetarian or vegan meals available?

Yes. The vegetarian meal includes pasta with marinara, potatoes, corn and fresh fruit. The vegan and dairy-free meal has pasta with marinara without cheese, potatoes and corn without butter, and fresh fruit.

Is a gluten-free meal available?

Yes. It includes roasted chicken, lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob and fresh fruit.

How early must I request a special meal?

Special meal requests must be made no later than four hours before the show.

Is a kosher meal available?

No. The kosher meal option is currently unavailable.

Do children need a ticket?

Children three and younger may attend free, but must sit on an adult’s lap and share the adult’s meal. Children four and older pay the full ticket price and receive their own seat and dinner.

Can I bring a backpack or large bag?

No. Luggage, large bags and backpacks are not allowed.

Does the show use strobe lights or other special effects?

Yes. The show features horses, pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke and fog in an enclosed area. It is not suitable for people with epilepsy.