Tournament of Kings Dinner and Show at Excalibur Hotel and Casino

The most memorable part of Tournament of Kings is not the story. It is the way the arena turns you into part of the contest. Merlin assigns each section a country, then your king depends on your cheers, so the room quickly fills with shouting, clapping, and good-natured rivalry. The live horses and sword fights give the show real weight, while the fire and smoke effects keep the action moving.

I like the family-friendly energy and the simple dinner served in medieval style, with roasted chicken, potatoes, corn, bread, and apple square eaten without forks or spoons. I also like that the performance gives you a full evening plan at a set price. The main drawback is the food. Portions are suitable for the show, but the meal can be plain, and the chicken may be dry or the vegetables less fresh than you hope.

Key points to know before you book

• Merlin assigns your country: Your seating section cheers for its king throughout the contest.
• Real horses enter the arena: Expect close views, dust, smoke, fog, strobe lights, and pyrotechnics.
• The meal is hands-on: Roasted chicken, red potatoes, corn, a roll, and apple square arrive without standard utensils.
• The show lasts about 90 minutes: It works well as a planned dinner stop during a Las Vegas evening.
• Arrive early for a smoother entry: Lines can grow long before showtime, even though they usually move quickly once doors open.
• Special meals need advance notice: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, kosher, and children’s meals may be requested ahead of time.

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, and the show entrance is not simply a door off the main hotel lobby. Give yourself time to find the box office area, especially if you are arriving with children or carrying coats and bags.

The performance area is arranged like a medieval arena, with audience sections representing different countries. Your ticket category determines where you sit, and your section gives you a king to support. This setup is the engine of the show. You are not watching quietly from a dark theater. You are expected to cheer, answer the performers, and make enough noise to support your side.

I would arrive well before showtime. One evening report described long lines for an 8:30 p.m. performance, with people arriving around 8 p.m. The line moved fast once entry began, but waiting until the last moment can make the start feel rushed. Bags may be searched, and backpacks, luggage, and similar large items are not allowed inside the showroom.

Merlin explains the rules before the battle

The show opens with Merlin, who explains the arrangement of the arena and introduces the idea that each section is a country with its own king. This short opening is important because it gives younger children a clear role. They know who to cheer for before the riding and combat begin.

King Arthur then gathers the rulers of Europe, represented by the audience, for a banquet and competition. The early mood is ceremonial and playful. Kings and knights display their skills on horseback, and dancers add color and movement between the larger action scenes.

The plot is easy to follow. King Arthur offers hospitality, but the evil wizard Mordred interrupts the gathering. The kings must put aside their rivalry and unite against him. You do not come here for a subtle drama, but the straightforward story works well for a loud dinner show. Children can understand it, and adults can focus on the horses, stunts, costumes, and spectacle.

The crowd participation is constant without requiring you to leave your seat. You cheer for your country, react to the action, and raise a stein in support of the combatants. If you enjoy theatrical events where the audience has a job to do, this is a strong fit. If you prefer a quiet meal and a polished stage musical, the noise may wear on you.

Horses, jousting, and real steel in the arena

The horses are the heart of Tournament of Kings. Knights ride into the dirt arena, perform mounted skills, and take part in jousting and battle scenes. The close seating lets you see the animals clearly, rather than watching everything from a distant stage.

The sword fights also add a physical edge. The combat uses real swords, along with trained performers and horses. That does not turn the event into a serious historical reenactment, but it helps the action feel more immediate than a purely theatrical fight with soft stage props.

You should know what the setting involves. Horses and dirt are close to the audience, and the production uses smoke, fog, strobe lights, and pyrotechnics in an enclosed space. People with allergies, asthma, respiratory conditions, or sensitivity to dust and horses should consider this carefully and attend at their own risk.

The fire effects are among the show’s biggest crowd-pleasers. They help break up the riding scenes and add a sudden burst of excitement when the story turns toward conflict. The noise can be intense, too, so young children who dislike loud performances may need extra preparation.

The show is smoke-free in the ordinary casino sense, but that does not mean the arena is free of theatrical smoke or fog. That distinction matters if you have respiratory concerns.

What arrives on your table without forks

Dinner is served during the performance. The standard meal includes a roasted seasoned Cornish game hen or roasted chicken, lemon pepper red potatoes, corn on the cob, a dinner roll, and an apple square for dessert. The exact menu can change, but the meal follows the same basic pattern: hearty, simple, and designed to be eaten by hand.

There are no forks or spoons. You eat in the manner of the show’s medieval theme, which is part of the fun for many children and part of the awkwardness for some adults. The staff serves the food at your assigned seat, so you do not need to leave the arena to find dinner.

The chicken receives mixed reactions. Some diners find it well seasoned and tender, while others find it dry and wish for a sauce. The potatoes and corn are usually viewed as acceptable accompaniments rather than standout dishes. A few people find the vegetables or potatoes less fresh than expected, while others enjoy the meal and consider the portions suitable.

My advice is to judge the food as part of a dinner show, not as a destination restaurant. At $79.60 per person, you are paying for a seat, a live production, table service, and a complete meal. The food helps make the evening convenient, but the horses, performers, audience participation, and effects are the real reason to book.

The apple square provides a sweet finish and has been described as warm and enjoyable. If you have dietary needs, special menus may be available for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-allergy, kosher, and children’s meals. Request them at least four hours before showtime. Kosher meals require 72 hours of notice, so do not wait until the day of the performance.

Alcoholic drinks can be purchased during the show. Your server can take drink orders at your table, which is useful if you want a beer, wine, or another drink with dinner. Alcohol is not included in the listed price.

How the 90-minute evening feels

The full experience lasts about one hour and 30 minutes. That includes the story, introductions, dinner service, riding, dancing, combat, and finale. It is long enough to feel like a proper evening activity but short enough to fit beside other Las Vegas plans.

The pace is brisk. The production moves from Merlin’s opening explanation to the banquet, riding demonstrations, the arrival of Mordred, and the final conflict. Dancers and musicians help fill the transitions, while the servers work around the performance.

You should expect to cheer often. One section may be called on to support its king, and the audience responds with louder and louder calls. It is possible to lose your voice if you fully commit to the contest, which is part of the appeal for families and groups of friends.

The performance also works for couples without children. The story is simple, but the setting, swordplay, horses, and effects give adults enough to watch beyond the plot. It can make a good first-night activity because dinner, entertainment, and a clear destination are handled in one booking.

Is $79.60 a fair Las Vegas price?

At $79.60 per person, Tournament of Kings is not a cheap dinner. It is a packaged experience that includes the show ticket, the selected seating category, the two-course meal, taxes, fees, and handling charges. Parking, valet service, hotel pickup, and drinks cost extra.

The value improves if you already planned to pay for both dinner and a major show. You receive a full meal and 90 minutes of entertainment without moving between restaurants and theaters. Families may also appreciate that children can take part in the same event as adults, with no separate attraction to arrange.

The value is weaker if your priority is gourmet food or a quiet, high-end performance. The meal is basic by Las Vegas standards, and the production is deliberately broad and family-oriented. You are paying for action, atmosphere, and participation, not culinary detail or serious theater.

You may want to reserve ahead. The experience is booked an average of 27 days in advance, which suggests that popular showtimes can fill before your trip. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Inside that window, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. The cutoff follows local Las Vegas time.

Who will enjoy this show most

I would recommend Tournament of Kings to families with children who like knights, horses, battles, and loud audience participation. The simple story is easy for children to follow, and children age four and older receive their own seat and dinner.

It also suits adults who want a playful break from casinos, clubs, and expensive restaurant meals. Couples and groups can enjoy the humor, costumes, dancing, swordplay, and fire effects without needing to be medieval-history fans.

Children three and younger may attend free, but they must sit on a parent or guardian’s lap and share that adult’s meal. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. All ages are welcome, though the volume, smoke effects, and close horses may not suit every young child.

This is less suitable if you are sensitive to dust, horses, smoke, fog, or strobe lighting. It is also a poor match if you need a refined meal, dislike eating with your hands, or prefer a performance where the audience stays quiet.

Accessible seating is available. If you need it, request accessible seating in the special requirements section when booking.

Practical ways to make the evening easier

Plan to arrive early enough to find the arena and handle the entry line. Keep large bags, luggage, and backpacks at your hotel, since they are not permitted in the showroom and all bags may be searched.

Wear clothing that you can manage comfortably around a dirt arena. The seating is close to the action, and the production can involve dust and theatrical effects. If you have respiratory concerns, think carefully about the enclosed setting before buying.

Tell the box office about dietary needs in advance. Four hours is the stated minimum for many special meals, but kosher meals need 72 hours. Do not assume a request made at the door can be handled.

Keep your mobile ticket ready, and check that the ticket details match your booking before joining the line. If there is a problem, the Excalibur box office is the place to resolve it. One ticketing problem has been reported in which replacement tickets had to be collected downstairs, so checking your documents early is sensible.

Should you book Tournament of Kings?

Book it if you want horses, jousting, fire effects, and a hands-on dinner in one family-friendly package. The strongest part is the shared energy. You cheer for your king, eat with your hands, and watch trained riders and performers bring the contest to life at close range.

Skip it if the quality of the meal matters more than the show, or if smoke, dust, horses, loud sound, and strobe effects are concerns. For most people who approach it as theatrical entertainment with dinner attached, $79.60 is a reasonable Las Vegas splurge. For a memorable family night, it is an easy choice. For a serious food evening, choose a restaurant instead.

FAQ

Where is Tournament of Kings located at Excalibur?

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

How long does Tournament of Kings last?

The dinner show lasts approximately one hour and 30 minutes.

What food is served during the show?

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 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 need a full-price ticket with their own seat and dinner. Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Can special diets be accommodated?

Special meals may be available for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-allergy, kosher, and children’s diets. Requests must be made at least four hours before showtime. Kosher meals require 72 hours of advance notice.

Can I cancel my booking for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.