Las Vegas: Tournament of Kings Show at Excalibur

At Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings, dinner comes with a side of sword fights, charging horses, and noisy medieval theater. You sit around a dirt arena, cheer for your knight, and eat a hearty meal with your hands while King Arthur’s court plays out a tale of bravery and treachery.

I like the way the show mixes live horses and jousting with simple family entertainment. I also like that dinner is included, with clear options for gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, and children’s meals. The main drawback is the enclosed arena’s intense effects: horses, smoke, fog, pyrotechnics, strobe lights, and close seating may not suit everyone.

Key points to know before you book

• The action happens in a dirt arena: You sit close to the horses as knights race, joust, and fight with swords.
• Dinner is part of the performance: The regular meal includes roasted chicken, potatoes, corn, an apple square, and a dinner roll.
• You eat medieval style: Cutlery is not provided, so you use your hands.
• The show suits many ages: Children three and younger can attend free on an adult’s lap, while children four and older need their own paid ticket.
• Special meals need advance notice: Request gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, or other special meals at least four hours before showtime.
• Large bags are not allowed: Leave luggage, backpacks, and other large bags elsewhere before entering.

Entering King Arthur’s arena at Excalibur

The experience takes place inside Excalibur, the castle-themed resort in Las Vegas. Once you arrive, you take your seat in an enclosed arena built around a dirt performance floor. That setup matters because you are not watching a distant stage show. The horses and riders perform close to the seating area, giving the action a physical, noisy quality.

You can expect a clear good-versus-bad medieval story centered on King Arthur. The plot includes bravery, treachery, and tests of chivalry, so the show gives the horse stunts a simple narrative purpose. You cheer for your knight while the court’s characters move the story along.

The format is deliberately broad and family-friendly. Maidens sing and dance, a court jester provides comic relief, and King Arthur appears as part of the royal court. I would not choose this show for subtle drama or quiet historical detail. I would choose it for a lively evening when you want food and spectacle in the same ticket.

Horses, racing, jousting, and sword fighting

The main attraction is the live action on horseback. Knights compete in tests that include horse racing, jousting, and sword fighting. Those events give the performance its strongest sense of movement, especially compared with a standard theater production where the action stays on a stage.

The horses are not a small background feature. You sit in close proximity to them and the dirt arena, so the show feels more physical than a filmed medieval adventure. That closeness is part of the appeal, but it is also something to consider carefully if you are uneasy around horses or dust.

The contest structure makes it easy to follow the action. You do not need detailed knowledge of Arthurian stories to understand the basic idea: support your knight, watch the challenges, and follow the fight between loyalty and treachery. The show gives you plenty of cues for when to cheer.

Sword fighting adds another layer of theatrical action. This is presented as a live production, with riders and performers working in a controlled arena rather than as a historical demonstration. I see the appeal as a shared family activity. Children can follow the colors and characters, while adults may enjoy the unusual combination of dinner, horsemanship, and stage effects.

Pyrotechnics, smoke, and the enclosed setting

The production uses pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke, and fog. These effects help create a more dramatic medieval setting, especially during battles and moments of danger. They also make the show less suitable for anyone with epilepsy.

You should think about the enclosed arena before booking. The combination of lights, sound, smoke, fog, horses, and close seating can feel intense. If you prefer a calm meal or a conventional stage performance, this may be too much. If you enjoy a loud, theatrical production with visible action, the effects are a useful part of the experience rather than a minor extra.

The setting also means you should keep your belongings simple. Luggage, large bags, and backpacks are not allowed. Plan to leave those items elsewhere before you enter. That is a practical point worth handling before showtime, since the arena is designed for seating and performance rather than storage.

The medieval dinner, served without cutlery

Dinner is served during the show, and the meal is meant to fit the medieval theme. Cutlery is not provided. You eat with your hands, which can be amusing for children and a memorable change from an ordinary theater dinner. It can also be messy, so I would dress for an active meal rather than a formal evening out.

The regular menu includes:

• Roasted chicken
• Lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes
• Corn on the cob
• Apple square
• Dinner roll

This is a hearty, familiar plate rather than an adventurous medieval reconstruction. That works in its favor for families and selective eaters. You get recognizable food that can be eaten while watching the action, without needing to make dinner plans before or after the show.

The children’s menu is available for ages four through twelve and includes chicken tenders, fries, and an apple square. Children four and older receive their own seat and dinner with a full-price ticket. Children three and younger may attend free, but they must sit on an adult’s lap and share the adult’s meal.

I like the way the meal is tied to the performance. You are not simply buying a theater ticket and then finding food elsewhere. The dinner helps turn the show into a full evening activity. Still, the hand-eating format is not ideal for anyone who needs a slower or more formal meal.

Meal choices for dietary needs

The menu offers several alternatives, but you need to request them in advance. Special meal requests must be made no later than four hours before the show. That deadline is short enough that I would make the request as soon as you book, rather than waiting until the day becomes busy.

The gluten-free meal includes roasted chicken, lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes, corn on the cob, and fresh fruit. The vegetarian meal includes pasta with marinara, potatoes, corn, and fresh fruit. It is listed as nut free and peanut free.

The vegan and dairy-free choice includes pasta with marinara without cheese, potatoes without butter, corn without butter, and fresh fruit. It is also listed as nut free and peanut free.

The kosher meal option is currently unavailable. That is important to check before you commit if kosher food is necessary for your group. The menu information also identifies the regular, vegetarian, and vegan options as nut free and peanut free, but you should still make your needs clear when requesting a special meal.

Why the show works for families

The production covers several types of entertainment in one sitting. You get a clear story for younger children, horses and mock combat for anyone who likes action, music and dancing for those who prefer performance, and a built-in meal for the whole group.

The all-ages policy makes it possible to bring a mixed-age family. The rules for young children are specific, though. Those three and under do not receive a separate seat or meal. They sit on an adult’s lap and share that adult’s food. Children four and older need a paid ticket and receive their own place at the table.

Unaccompanied minors are not allowed. Plan for an adult to remain responsible for children throughout the evening. The arena’s effects and close horse activity also mean that very young children may find the show loud or startling, even though all ages are permitted.

I would especially consider this experience for a family looking for one organized evening at the resort. It also suits anyone who wants a break from Las Vegas’s usual concerts, magic shows, and adult-oriented entertainment. The Arthurian theme gives the night a clear identity.

How much value you get from the ticket

No price is provided here, so I cannot tell you if the ticket is a bargain on a particular date. I can explain what you receive: the live show and dinner are bundled together, which gives the ticket more practical value than a performance-only admission.

You are paying for more than a seat. The package includes trained horse performances, jousting, sword fighting, music, dancing, comedy, special effects, and a full meal. If you would otherwise buy dinner before the show, combining both parts can make the evening easier to plan.

The value depends on what you want from a Las Vegas night. If you want a quiet gourmet meal, this is not the right comparison. The food is straightforward, and the hand-eating format is part of the theme. If you want a theatrical event with a meal already arranged, the combined format has a strong advantage.

I would also consider the age of your group. A family with children may get more value from the clear story, horses, and shared cheering than a couple seeking a polished dramatic production. The show’s appeal is its energy and format, not fine dining or serious historical accuracy.

Practical details that can shape your evening

Give yourself enough time to arrive at Excalibur, get inside, and take your seat before the action begins. The exact show schedule and duration are not provided here, so check your ticket details for the performance time and allow time to reach the arena within the resort.

Do not bring luggage or a large backpack. Those items are not allowed, and the seating area is not designed for bulky belongings. A small, practical approach will make entry easier.

Think about the physical environment before booking. You will be near horses and a dirt arena in an enclosed space. Smoke, fog, strobe lighting, and pyrotechnics are part of the production. Anyone with epilepsy should not attend, and anyone sensitive to these effects should consider another show.

The meal requires a little planning as well. Since you eat with your hands, keep that in mind if you are dining with small children or managing special dietary needs. Request an alternative meal at least four hours before showtime, and remember that kosher meals are currently unavailable.

Is Tournament of Kings right for you?

Book it if you want a family-friendly Las Vegas show that combines live horses, jousting, and theatrical effects with dinner. It is a good fit for anyone who likes clear stories, cheering, comedy, and a little controlled medieval chaos.

Think twice if you need a quiet environment, have epilepsy, dislike close contact with horses, or want a refined meal with table service and cutlery. The production is intentionally physical and theatrical, and the dirt arena and special effects are central to the experience.

For most families, the strongest reason to choose it is convenience. One ticket covers the evening’s entertainment and food, while the Arthurian theme gives everyone an easy role: pick a knight, watch the contests, and cheer when the action reaches the arena floor.

FAQ

Where does Tournament of Kings take place?

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

What is included with admission?

Your ticket includes the Tournament of Kings show and dinner.

What food is served with the regular menu?

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

Do I get cutlery?

No. Cutlery is not provided, and you eat the meal with your hands as part of the medieval theme.

Are children allowed to attend?

Yes. All ages are welcome. Children three and younger may attend free, sit on an adult’s lap, and share the adult’s meal. Children four and older need a full-price ticket, their own seat, and their own dinner.

Are special meals available?

Yes. Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, nut-free, and peanut-free options are listed. Special meal requests must be made at least four hours before the show. The kosher meal option is currently unavailable.

What happens if I bring a large bag or backpack?

Luggage, large bags, and backpacks are not allowed. Leave them elsewhere before entering the arena.

Are there effects I should know about?

Yes. The show includes horses, pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke, and fog in an enclosed area. Seating is close to the horses and dirt arena, and the show is not suitable for people with epilepsy.