Medieval knights meet Vegas lights in one arena. I love the up-close horse action and full-contact feel of the tournament, and I also love that your ticket includes a medieval-style dinner. The big catch: you’ll be eating with your hands, so this is best for people who are fine with getting a little messy.
This show at Excalibur leans hard into spectacle—horse riding, jousting, sword fighting, and stage effects like pyrotechnics plus smoke and fog. You’ll sit close to the horses in an enclosed arena with a dirt floor, so it feels less like a theater and more like you’re ring-side for chivalry (and chaos).
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About
- Getting to Excalibur and Settling Into the Arena
- What the Tournament of Kings Show Really Includes
- The Horse-Riding Closeness: Why It Works (and When It Doesn’t)
- Your Medieval Dinner: What You’ll Be Eating
- Meal Options and Allergy Notes (Nut-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan)
- Children, Lap Seats, and Family Fit
- Price and Value: What You’re Actually Getting
- Who Should Book (and Who Might Skip)
- Should You Book Tournament of Kings at Excalibur?
- FAQ
- Is dinner included with the Tournament of Kings ticket?
- What meal options are available for dietary needs?
- Is the kosher meal option available?
- Do they provide cutlery for dinner?
- What restrictions are there on bags and entry?
- Is the show suitable for people with epilepsy?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Care About
- Close seating to the horses: You’re not far back in velvet seats; you’re in the action zone.
- A full tournament arc: Horse racing tests, jousting, and sword fighting roll into one story.
- Big show effects: Pyrotechnics, strobe lights, smoke, and fog happen in an enclosed arena.
- Included medieval dinner: It’s part of the experience, not an add-on.
- Hand-eating dinner by design: No cutlery is provided, so plan for that.
- Multiple meal options for allergies: Nut-free/peanut-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan choices are listed.
Getting to Excalibur and Settling Into the Arena
Tournament of Kings is one of those Vegas experiences that feels purpose-built for people who want action, not background ambience. You head to Excalibur and take your seat in an enclosed arena where horses are right there with you. That closeness is exactly why the show lands—when the riders move, it feels immediate.
Before you go in, keep your luggage situation simple. Luggage or large bags and backpacks are not allowed, and unaccompanied minors aren’t permitted. So aim for a small, easy-to-manage bag and plan to travel light; it will save you time and stress at entry.
Also note the seating setup. You’ll be seated in close proximity to horses and in a dirt arena. That means the show atmosphere is physical and grounded. If you’re picturing a polished theater experience, adjust your expectations. Here, the vibe is closer to a staged joust you can smell and feel.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Las Vegas
What the Tournament of Kings Show Really Includes
The experience is built like a medieval tale with a showdown focus. The story centers on King Arthur, and the knights compete to prove chivalry while the action escalates with staged danger and humor. If you’re a fan of knights-on-horses energy, this is the kind of program that doesn’t pause for long.
During the show, you’ll see a sequence of events tied to proving worth:
- Tests of horse racing
- Jousting
- Sword fighting
It’s not just combat, either. The court side of the world matters, and that’s part of the fun. Maidens sing and dance, the court jester adds comedy, and King Arthur appears as the storyline anchor. So even if you’re not deep into medieval lore, you still get story beats, performance variety, and action.
One practical note: this isn’t a quiet, subtle production. The show uses pyrotechnics, strobe lights, and smoke and fog effects. If you’re sensitive to lighting effects or you prefer calm entertainment, this show is not built for you. It’s also not suitable for people with epilepsy.
The Horse-Riding Closeness: Why It Works (and When It Doesn’t)
I like productions where the danger feels real but the format stays controlled. Here, the format is designed so you’re close enough to feel the power of the horses and the speed of the action. That close seating can make the tournament moments more believable, even if you know it’s staged.
At the same time, the closeness changes who the experience is best for. This arena setup means you might feel crowded, and you may get a bit of dust or rough weather-like atmosphere from stage effects inside an enclosed space. If you don’t like tight quarters or strong sensory effects, you’ll want to think carefully before committing.
This also ties to one of the most important practical factors: your comfort with sensory input. Between strobe lighting and haze effects, the show uses multiple impact cues. If you’re going with a friend or family member who gets overwhelmed in loud, flashing environments, plan to have a clear decision early.
Your Medieval Dinner: What You’ll Be Eating
The dinner is built into the experience, so you’re not stuck hunting for food after the show. You’ll feast on a medieval-style meal as part of the program, and it’s designed to be hearty and filling. Expect simple, recognizable comfort-food items arranged as a basic feast.
The big rule is also the simplest: cutlery is not provided. Guests eat with their hands, the way the show frames it as medieval times. If you love hands-on experiences, you’ll probably enjoy the novelty. If you’d rather not, this is the decision point. You can’t opt out of the hand-eating concept based on the details provided.
Your dinner includes:
- Roasted chicken
- Lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Apple square
- Dinner roll
And for some menu types, there’s also fresh fruit.
If you’re thinking ahead, wear something comfortable. You’re eating a warm, classic meal with fingers. It’s not fancy-dining etiquette, and that’s part of the charm if you go in with the right mindset.
Meal Options and Allergy Notes (Nut-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegan)
One of the most useful parts of this experience is that the menus are clearly laid out with options for common restrictions. There’s a Regular Menu (Nut Free/Peanut Free) and a Gluten Free Menu, plus vegetarian and vegan choices.
Here’s what’s listed:
Regular Menu (Nut Free/Peanut Free)
- Roasted Chicken
- Lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Apple square
- Dinner roll
Gluten Free Menu
- Roasted Chicken
- Lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Fresh fruit
Vegetarian / Nut Free / Peanut Free
- Pasta with marinara
- Lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes
- Corn on the cob
- Fresh fruit
Vegan / Dairy Free / Nut Free / Peanut Free
- Pasta with marinara no cheese
- Lemon pepper roasted red bliss potatoes no butter
- Corn on the cob no butter
- Fresh fruit
Children Menu (ages 4–12 only)
- Chicken tenders
- Fries
- Apple square
If you need a special meal request, you have a deadline: it must be requested no later than 4 hours prior to the show. Also, the kosher meal option is currently unavailable. So if kosher is a must for your group, plan around that fact.
Children, Lap Seats, and Family Fit
All ages are welcome to attend, and that makes this a solid option for multigenerational trips. But the rules for young kids matter, because this show involves effects and horse proximity.
Children three (3) years and younger may attend free of charge. They must sit on the adult’s lap and share the adult’s meal. That can work well for short attention spans if your lap-holder is comfortable, but it’s not designed like a childcare situation.
Children four (4) and over pay the full ticket price, get their own seat, and receive their own dinner. Also, unaccompanied minors aren’t allowed, so plan for an adult to stay with your group.
Finally, remember the sensory environment. The show includes strobe lights, smoke, and fog effects, and it’s enclosed. If you’re bringing little kids, decide based on how they handle flashing lights and haze.
Price and Value: What You’re Actually Getting
There’s a clear value angle here: you’re paying for a show ticket and getting dinner included. That matters because it turns the evening into a single purchase with fewer moving parts. You’re not juggling pre-show dinner reservations or searching for a quick meal after the finale.
The show itself is also a full production, not a short stunt set. You get horse action plus multiple performance elements: jousting, sword fighting, and also singing/dancing maidens and a court jester. King Arthur gives it a recognizable story spine.
On the dinner side, the menus cover several dietary needs—nut-free/peanut-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan/dairy-free. That doesn’t mean every diet fits perfectly for every person, but it does mean the experience is built for more than one kind of eater.
The main value trade-off is the hand-eating part. You’re trading silverware comfort for theme immersion. If you think you’ll resent that, the value equation flips.
Who Should Book (and Who Might Skip)
This show is a great fit if you want action-forward entertainment with a medieval theme, plus a built-in meal. It’s especially good for:
- People who like horses and stunt-level performance
- Families looking for a big, clear storyline with comedy moments
- Groups who can handle smoke, fog, and strobe effects
It’s not a good fit if:
- You have epilepsy or need to avoid strobe lighting and haze effects
- You dislike eating with your hands
- You want a low-sensory, quiet show night
Also, think about the arena setup. You’ll be seated very close to horses in a dirt area. If you’re uncomfortable in tight, effect-heavy environments, you’ll feel it more here than in a typical theater show.
Should You Book Tournament of Kings at Excalibur?
Book it if you want a high-energy, medieval-themed night where dinner is part of the show plan and the horse-and-joust action feels immediate. The hand-eating dinner and the close seating are not hidden details—they’re the whole point—so if you can lean into that, you’ll likely have a memorable evening.
Don’t book it if the effect list is a concern. Strobe lights, smoke, and fog happen in an enclosed arena, and the show is not suitable for people with epilepsy. Also skip if you need utensils for comfort or routine.
If you’re deciding for a mixed group, you can make a smart call by asking one question: Can everyone in your party handle both the sensory show effects and the hands-on dinner style? If yes, this is one of the more straightforward “ticket equals evening plan” experiences in Las Vegas.
FAQ
Is dinner included with the Tournament of Kings ticket?
Yes. The experience includes a show ticket and dinner.
What meal options are available for dietary needs?
The menu options listed include a Regular Menu that is Nut Free/Peanut Free, a Gluten Free Menu, a Vegetarian/Nut Free/Peanut Free Menu, and a Vegan/Dairy Free/Nut Free/Peanut Free Menu. There is also a Children Menu for ages 4–12.
Is the kosher meal option available?
No. The kosher meal option is currently unavailable.
Do they provide cutlery for dinner?
No. Cutlery is not provided, and guests eat with their hands.
What restrictions are there on bags and entry?
Luggage or large bags and backpacks are not allowed. Unaccompanied minors are also not permitted.
Is the show suitable for people with epilepsy?
No. The show is not suitable for people with epilepsy, because it includes strobe lights and smoke/fog effects in an enclosed area.
