Cheering knights in Vegas feels oddly real. At Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings, you get an interactive dinner show where Merlin frames the arena like kingdoms, and you actually cheer for your king during the action. The whole night feels built for big energy, kids wide-eyed, and adults laughing at how loud they end up being.

One thing to think about first: you sit close to horses and smoke effects in an enclosed, dirt arena. If you have horse allergies, asthma, or get bothered by dust, this might be a risky pick for you.

Tournament of Kings at Excalibur: A loud, hands-on medieval dinner show

This is not a sit-and-watch theater show. Tournament of Kings is a medieval arena performance staged inside the Excalibur Hotel and Casino, built around audience participation, live horses, and lots of stunt spectacle. You start with a story setup, then shift into a competition where your section of the crowd is treated like its own country.

Here is what makes it work in Vegas: you get a full dinner included, and the meal is part of the “medieval guest” experience. No quiet fine dining. You’ll eat a hearty chicken-and-sides feast with your hands, raise a stein for a toast, and then keep cheering through jousts and battles.

It is also genuinely easy to understand. Even if you do not know the legend details, the show makes the stakes clear, with wizards, knights, and kings clashing in a straightforward storyline. And yes, it can get loud enough that more than one person in recent experiences walked out sounding like they had been arguing with a castle gate.

Possible drawback, again, is that closeness. You are seated near horses in a dirt arena. The show uses pyrotechnics plus smoke, fog, and strobe-style lights. It is smoke free in the sense that you are not dealing with cigarette smoke, but there are atmospheric effects.

Key things I’d pay attention to before you book

• You cheer for your king: your arena section is assigned, and the show actively pulls you in.
• Real horses and stunt intensity: it is built around jousting and horseback action, not just actors on foot.
• Dinner is included and hand-eaten: roasted chicken, potatoes, veggies, bread, plus Apple Square dessert.
• The line can look brutal early: arrive before the main rush, because entry can surge right around show start.
• It can be noisy and physically demanding emotionally: expect cheering, clapping, and a sore voice the next day.
• Allergies and asthma need a real check: horses, dust, and theatrical effects are part of the package.

Walking into Excalibur and finding King Arthur’s Arena fast

Tournament of Kings runs inside Excalibur, so you avoid the “where do I go in this huge city” headache once you are on the Strip. You will enter the hotel, walk toward the center box office, take the stairs down, then left at the bottom. The arena is on the right.

You’ll likely use a mobile ticket, and the experience includes all taxes, fees, and handling charges in the ticket price. Parking is not included, and valet fees are extra, so if you are driving, factor that into your total.

Timing matters. In practice, I’d plan to get there early rather than strolling in at show time. Some recent nights saw long lines building before doors really started moving, then entry sped up once the flow began. If your goal is to sit down and settle before the first big moment, give yourself a cushion.

Merlin sets the stage: countries, kings, and your job in the crowd

The show begins with a wizard named Merlin guiding you into the story world. He explains the arena in a fun, kid-friendly way: each section of the audience is treated like a country, and each country has a king.

That sounds like a gimmick, but it is the secret sauce. Instead of being a random spectator, you become part of the competition. When your segment is called, you cheer for your king, and the performers react. That feedback loop makes it feel like you are inside the battle rather than watching from far away.

Even if you usually hate interactive shows, this one stays focused. The participation is not random chanting drills. It is tied to the storyline and the action. You know when to cheer, and the show keeps nudging you back into the moment.

The story engine: King Arthur, the kings of Europe, and Mordred’s trouble

Once King Arthur gathers the rulers of Europe, the night becomes part banquet, part tournament, and part plot problem. The kings test their knightly skills while riding horses, and the performance cycles between spectacle and big story beats.

Then the tension ramps up. The evil wizard Mordred invades the party, and the kings must unite to defeat him. The show’s pacing makes this easy to follow, so you are not stuck trying to guess who is supposed to be winning. It is built for cheering, not homework.

This is also where you will notice the production choices that many people love most:

• Real swords are used during the fight sequences.
• The action is designed to look dangerous without feeling chaotic.
• Pyrotechnics plus strobe lights plus smoke and fog effects bring intensity during key battle moments.

The arena setting matters, too. You are seated in close proximity to the horses, and the ground is part of the staging. One practical takeaway: if you are sensitive to dust or you get asthma flare-ups, this is not an environment to treat lightly.

The medieval “banquet” part: roasted chicken, sides, bread, and Apple Square

You get a 2-course meal built around a medieval vibe. Expect roasted chicken, lemon pepper roasted red potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and a dinner roll. Dessert is Apple Square.

The meal is served in a way that keeps the show moving. You eat without utensils, hands are part of the plan. That is a big difference from most Vegas dinners, and it is a big part of why families in particular have a good time. Kids do not feel like they are being scolded for being kids, because the show itself makes hand-eating feel normal.

Quality impressions are generally positive, but not uniform. Many people say the chicken is tasty and the dessert is warm and satisfying. Others call the food more basic than they expected, and there are mentions of chicken that was dry or sides that felt old, like potatoes or corn that were not at their best.

Here is the balanced way to think about it:

• If you want an elevated culinary experience, this is probably not the right choice.
• If you want a hearty included meal that does not require a separate reservation, it is doing its job.

Drinks, service, and how the alcohol works

You can order alcohol during the show. Your server can take drink orders at your assigned table or seat, so you are not walking around hunting for a bar.

Service quality seems consistently strong in recent accounts, with people highlighting friendly staff and smooth seating once the entry wave started. In other words, the experience does not rely on you figuring everything out on your own.

One small practical angle: because you are eating by hand and cheering through action, you might want to keep drinks simple. If you choose cocktails, choose something you can handle while your hands are busy. You do not want to juggle a complicated drink during a dinner that is already designed for practicality.

Feeling the spectacle: pyrotechnics, strobe effects, smoke and fog

This show is intense on purpose. It includes horses in an enclosed arena, plus pyrotechnics, strobe lights, and smoke and fog effects. That combination is exactly what makes it feel like more than a stage performance.

It also explains why some folks love it for the kids. Boys and girls who like knights, sword fights, and horses often light up because the spectacle is built to be visible and physical. You can see the horses well, and the stunts land with drama.

It is also why I’d caution sensitive viewers. If you have allergies related to horses or you react to dust, or you struggle with respiratory issues, you should decide based on your own comfort level. Seating is close, and the environment includes dirt.

How this works for families, couples, and mixed groups

Tournament of Kings is one of those rare Vegas activities that works for multi-age groups. Kids get the story plus the cheering plus the big action. Adults get the live performance energy, and many people are surprised by how fun it feels even without a medieval background.

For families: the show welcomes all ages. Kids 3 and younger can attend free, but they must sit on a parent’s lap. Children age 4 and older pay the full ticket price and get their own seats and dinner. Kids under 16 must be with an adult.

For couples: it can be a fun, low-planning “do something different” night. Recent couples and friend groups often praised the storyline, the special effects, and the fun atmosphere. Even if you come without kids, expect that you will end up cheering at least once.

For groups with mixed preferences: be honest with yourselves about the food and noise. This is not a quiet, romantic dinner. It is an energetic show that also happens to feed you.

Food expectations at a glance: what people usually like, and what to plan around

Most of the strongest praise centers on:

• The showmanship and audience involvement
• The horses and sword fight action
• The general meal satisfaction, especially chicken and dessert

The most common “meh” notes are about the meal being more basic than expected, and occasional concerns like dry chicken or sides that were not fresh-hot.

So how do you protect your enjoyment?

• If you are fine with hearty casual food, you will likely be happy.
• If you need perfect seasoning every time, eat before or plan to supplement. Even a quick snack earlier can save the night if your dinner portion is drier than you hoped.

You do not have forks or spoons, so if that alone would annoy you, adjust your expectations. The show leans into the medieval guest fantasy, and that includes eating with your hands.

After the show: turn Excalibur into the rest of the night

A big practical plus is that Excalibur is already there, so you can keep going without transportation planning. After the show, you can stay on-site for casino time and an arcade. Some accounts also mention an upstairs mini mall area.

That matters if your group’s idea of fun varies. One person wants slot machines, another wants a quick arcade win, and you all still get to discuss the jousting battle you just watched.

Because the show is about 1 hour 30 minutes and then you’re done, it also pairs well with a light late-night plan. It is short enough that you are not sacrificing your entire Vegas day.

Price and value: is $79.60 actually a good deal?

At about $79.60 per person for a show that runs roughly 90 minutes, the value really comes down to one thing: you are buying a dinner show with live spectacle plus a full 2-course meal.

This price includes the show ticket (category selected when booking), the 2-course dinner, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges. What is not included is hotel pickup and drop-off, plus parking or valet fees.

I think it is a solid value if you care about doing something that feels like a proper event, not just another performance. The included meal removes one planning step and one extra cost. Also, the interaction and cheering can turn it into a memory that lasts longer than a standard dinner.

It might not be the best value if:

• Your main goal is top-tier food.
• You hate loud environments.
• You or someone in your group is very sensitive to horses or dust.

Should you book Tournament of Kings at Excalibur?

Book it if you want a Vegas night that is active, funny in a good way, and built for participation. I’d especially recommend it for families and for groups who love knights, sword fights, and horses. If you can handle a meal eaten with your hands and you are good with theatrical effects, it is an easy yes.

Skip or rethink it if respiratory sensitivity is a concern, or if you are expecting gourmet dinner quality. This show is about the arena action first, and the food is included to keep you part of the medieval guest experience.

If you do book, show up early enough to avoid the biggest entry crunch. Then settle in, get ready to cheer for your king, and accept one small fact of life: your voice might not be the same on the walk back.

FAQ

Where is the Tournament of Kings showroom inside Excalibur?

Enter Excalibur and walk toward the center box office. Take the stairs down. At the bottom of the stairs, make a left and the arena will be on the right.

How long is the Tournament of Kings dinner and show?

It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What dinner is included with the show?

The included dinner typically includes roasted seasoned chicken, lemon pepper roasted red potatoes, corn on the cob, Apple Square dessert, and a dinner roll. The menu can change.

Can I bring a child?

All ages are welcome. Children 3 years and younger may attend free and must sit on a parent’s lap and share the adult’s meal. Children age 4 and older need their own ticket and receive their own seats and dinner. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

Can I purchase alcohol during the show?

Yes. Your server can take drink orders at your assigned table or seat.

Are bags or backpacks allowed?

Bags are subject to search. Backpacks, luggage, or similar items are strictly prohibited in the showroom.

Is the show handicap accessible?

Yes. Accessible seating options are available. If you require accessible seating, specify it in the Special Requirements box at checkout.