Tournament of Kings Dinner and Show at Excalibur Hotel and Casino

A dinner show with real horses, jousting and a roomful of people cheering for rival kings is a lively change from Las Vegas’s usual stage acts. At Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings, you are not just watching the medieval story unfold: Merlin gives your section a country to support, and your job is to cheer your king through the contest.

I like two things in particular: the audience becomes part of the show, and the horses and staged combat give the action a physical presence that a screen or standard musical can’t match. The roast-chicken dinner is served as part of the performance, so the meal and entertainment make one easy evening plan.

The trade-off is that this is loud, theatrical fun, not a quiet or historically exact medieval feast. The food is hearty but simple, and the arena uses dirt, horses, pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke and fog. If you have asthma, allergies or sensitivity to dust, those details deserve serious thought before booking.

What to know before you go

• Merlin assigns your section a king: The arena is divided into countries, and the audience cheers for its own ruler.
• The action includes live horses: Knights ride and joust in the dirt arena, with sword fights and other staged combat.
• Dinner comes without utensils: Expect seasoned chicken or Cornish game hen, potatoes, corn, a roll and apple dessert. The menu can change.
• The show runs about 90 minutes: It combines the meal, story, performance and special effects in one indoor event.
• It is built for participation: Cheering is part of the fun, particularly for children and anyone willing to play along.
• The listed price is $79.60 per person: That includes the selected show ticket, dinner and taxes, but not drinks, parking or valet.

Inside Excalibur’s King Arthur’s Arena

Tournament of Kings takes place inside Excalibur Hotel and Casino, on the Las Vegas Strip. Its setting is a purpose-built arena, rather than a conventional theater with a distant stage. The audience surrounds a dirt performance area, where horses and mounted knights make the action feel close.

The evening begins with Merlin explaining the setup. Each section represents a country, and each country has a king. Once you know who you are meant to support, the show gives you a simple role: cheer for your side as the rulers compete.

That format is the key to the experience. You do not need to know Arthurian legends, European history or the rules of jousting to follow along. The story is straightforward, the teams are easy to identify, and the audience’s noise is part of the performance. If your family likes to shout for a favorite team, you will have an immediate way into the show.

King Arthur gathers the rulers of Europe for a banquet and a test of knightly skill. The competition includes mounted riding and staged combat. Then the hospitality turns tense when the evil wizard Mordred arrives, forcing the kings to unite against a common threat. It is broad, easy-to-follow theater, with action and spectacle taking priority over subtle plot twists.

Jousting, horses and theatrical combat

The horses are a major part of the show’s appeal. They cross the dirt arena as knights compete, and the riding gives the jousting scenes movement and scale. Sword fights, stunts and special effects add to the sense of a medieval contest. This is staged entertainment, of course, but real horses and performers in close quarters make it more immediate than a filmed battle.

The atmosphere is deliberately noisy. The audience is invited to cheer, and the contest between sections gives children a clear reason to join in. Adults can take the show at face value as a lighthearted spectacle, or simply enjoy the crowd’s enthusiasm. Some people leave hoarse from cheering, so you may want to save your voice for your own king.

The production also uses pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke and fog. Those effects help make the battles feel dramatic, but they matter if you are sensitive to flashing lights or airborne irritants. The arena is enclosed, the horses are close to the seating, and the performance area is dirt. The show information specifically advises people with allergies, asthma or other respiratory conditions to attend at their own risk.

This is a useful point to weigh before purchasing, not an afterthought. If you know that horses, dust or smoke can affect you, consider choosing another show. If you are comfortable with those conditions, the live animals and arena setting are among the details that make this different from a standard dinner theater.

A medieval-style meal, eaten by hand

The meal is part of the performance, not a separate restaurant stop. The typical menu includes seasoned roasted chicken or Cornish game hen, lemon-pepper roasted red potatoes, corn on the cob, a dinner roll and an apple square for dessert. The supplied description calls it a two-course dinner, though the meal includes several sides as well as dessert.

There are no forks or spoons. You eat with your hands, in keeping with the medieval theme. That can be a novelty for children and a welcome break from a formal dinner, but it is worth knowing before you sit down. If you prefer a tidy meal or need utensils for practical reasons, this format may not suit you.

Food quality is likely to be a matter of expectations. Some people find the chicken well-seasoned and satisfying; others find it dry or the sides bland. Potatoes and corn have also drawn mixed reactions. I would think of the meal as straightforward, filling dinner theater fare, rather than a reason to book on its own. The show is the main event, with dinner making the evening more complete.

Special meals may be available, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-allergy, kosher and children’s options. Request one at least four hours before showtime by contacting the Excalibur Box Office using the number on your ticket. Kosher meals require 72 hours’ notice. Menu details can change, so make any dietary request well ahead rather than assuming the standard meal can be adjusted on arrival.

You can also order alcoholic drinks from your server at your seat. Drinks are not included in the ticket price, so remember to account for them if you are comparing this outing with a show that has a lower admission cost but no meal.

Is $79.60 a fair price?

At $79.60 per person, the ticket includes admission to the selected show category, the two-course dinner and taxes and fees. That makes the price easier to judge as an evening package than as a theater ticket alone. You get a roughly 90-minute performance and a meal in one venue, without having to arrange a separate dinner reservation.

The value is strongest if you want interactive entertainment, are curious about the horses and jousting, or are planning an outing with children. The performance is the central attraction, and the dinner adds convenience. If your priority is fine dining, or you mainly want a polished stage production with a complex story, you may not think the price is as compelling.

The rating is 4.4 from 464 reviews, and the most consistent praise is for the fun, energetic show, the live action and its appeal across ages. Food opinions are less uniform. That distinction is helpful: book for the spectacle and shared experience, and treat the meal as a hearty bonus rather than a culinary highlight.

The listed price does not include hotel pickup, drop-off, parking or valet. Drinks are also ordered separately. If you are staying elsewhere, factor in your trip to Excalibur and any parking charge when calculating the full cost of the evening.

Getting seated and finding the arena

The arena is inside Excalibur. To find it, enter the hotel and head toward the center box office. Take the stairs down, turn left at the bottom, and look for the arena on the right. The venue is near public transportation, though your best route depends on where you are staying.

Allow time to find the room and get through entry. One practical tip is to arrive before the showtime rather than cutting it close: a line can form, even when entry moves quickly once doors open. For an 8:30 p.m. performance, arriving around 8 p.m. has been reported as too late to avoid a long queue, though the line moved fast once admission began. Give yourself a cushion, especially with children or a group.

Your ticket is mobile, and confirmation is normally sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The experience is often booked about 27 days in advance on average. That is not a guarantee that you need to reserve exactly a month ahead, but it is a useful hint if your dates are fixed or you want a particular show category.

Bags are subject to search. Backpacks, luggage and similar items are not allowed in the showroom, so keep what you bring small and simple. Accessible seating is available; request it in the special requirements field when booking.

Who will enjoy this show most?

Families with children often have the easiest time getting into the format. The cheering, horses, costumes and clear good-versus-evil story give younger audience members plenty to follow. All ages are welcome. Children three and under may attend free, but must sit on a parent or guardian’s lap and share that adult’s meal. Children age four and older need a full-price ticket and receive their own seat and dinner. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Adults without children can enjoy it, too. It works well as a casual group outing, a playful date or a change of pace during a Las Vegas visit. You do not have to be a medieval history fan. The appeal is the combination of live action, crowd participation and dinner, not a lecture on the Middle Ages.

Think twice if you want a calm meal, dislike loud audience participation, or have a strong sensitivity to horses, dust, strobe lights, smoke or fog. The arena is enclosed and the action is close, so these are real considerations. The show is family-friendly in tone, but it is not a quiet room or a refined dining experience.

Should you book Tournament of Kings?

Book it if you want a high-energy, participatory evening and like the idea of watching real horses in a staged jousting contest while dinner is served. It offers a clear, easy-to-follow story, enough spectacle to keep children engaged, and a meal that saves you from arranging dinner elsewhere.

Skip it if your main goal is exceptional food, a subtle theatrical production or a low-stimulation environment. For most people deciding between a simple dinner and a lively show, the best reason to choose Tournament of Kings is the chance to cheer for a king alongside the rest of your section. At $79.60, that shared spectacle is where the value lies.

FAQ

How long does Tournament of Kings last?

The show lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What food is included?

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

Do I need to bring utensils?

No. The meal is eaten by hand, and forks and spoons are not provided.

Can I request a special meal?

Special meals may be available, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-allergy, kosher and children’s meals. Request one at least four hours before showtime by calling the Excalibur Box Office. Kosher meals require 72 hours’ notice.

Are children allowed?

Yes. All ages are welcome. Children three and under may attend free but must sit on an adult’s lap and share that adult’s meal. Children age four and older need a full-price ticket and their own seat and dinner. Anyone under 16 must be with an adult.

Does the show use real horses and special effects?

Yes. The production features horses, pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke and fog in an enclosed arena. People sensitive to horses, dust or those effects, including people with asthma or respiratory conditions, should consider the risk.

Can I buy drinks during the show?

Yes. You can order drinks from your server at your seat. Drinks are not included in the ticket price.

Are backpacks or luggage allowed?

Backpacks, luggage and similar items are prohibited in the showroom. All bags are subject to search.

Is accessible seating available?

Yes. Accessible seating options are available. If you need accessible seating, specify that in the special requirements box when booking.