So, you’re looking for a Las Vegas Medieval Times. You want the paper crowns, the wooden benches, and that specific smell of roasted chicken and horse arena dirt. It makes sense. Vegas is the capital of themed entertainment, and Medieval Times is the gold standard for jousting dinners. But here is the thing: if you plug "Medieval Times" into your GPS while driving down the Strip, you’re going to be disappointed.
There isn't one. Not a real Medieval Times, anyway.
It's one of those weird Mandela Effect things where people swear they remember seeing the stone castle walls near the MGM Grand or tucked away behind the Strat. Honestly, they’re probably just thinking of the Excalibur Hotel & Casino. That massive white and blue castle on the corner of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd is the reason for all the confusion. Inside that building, there is a show called Tournament of Kings. It is remarkably similar to the Medieval Times franchise, but it’s a homegrown Vegas production owned by MGM Resorts International.
The Reality of Tournament of Kings vs. Medieval Times
Most people don't actually care about the branding. They just want to eat with their hands. If that’s you, Tournament of Kings is basically the Las Vegas Medieval Times in everything but name. In fact, many regulars argue it’s actually better because the arena is "in the round," meaning you’re closer to the action than you’d be in the long, rectangular arenas typical of the Medieval Times chain in places like Buena Park or Dallas.
The setup is classic. You sit in a section named after a country—Norway, France, Ireland, or Austria—and you cheer for your specific knight. The plot involves King Arthur, a competition of skill, and an eventual invasion by a "Dark Knight" (the bad guy, obviously) that forces the rival kings to team up. It’s loud. It’s dusty. It’s exactly what you expect.
But there are differences. For one, the "Dragon’s Blood" soup (tomato bisque) at Tournament of Kings is a local legend. You don't get silver utensils. You get a Cornish game hen, a potato, and a piece of broccoli. You rip it apart with your fingers like a barbarian. If you ask for a fork, the servers might playfully tease you. That's the charm.
💡 You might also like: Charlize Theron Sweet November: Why This Panned Rom-Com Became a Cult Favorite
Why Las Vegas Doesn't Have the Franchise
You might wonder why a massive company like Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament—which has ten locations across North America—doesn't have a footprint in the world's biggest tourist trap. The answer is competition. Excalibur opened in 1990. At the time, it was the largest hotel in the world. They built the "King Arthur’s Arena" (now the Tournament of Kings arena) specifically to corner the market on dinner theater.
Medieval Times usually thrives in suburban hubs or secondary tourist markets like Orlando or Myrtle Beach. Trying to compete with an established show inside a literal castle-themed hotel would be a logistical nightmare. Plus, the production costs in Vegas are astronomical compared to a standalone castle in New Jersey.
What to Expect at the Excalibur Alternative
If you've been to a Medieval Times and you decide to hit up the Vegas version, don't expect a carbon copy. The pyrotechnics in Tournament of Kings are significantly more "Vegas." There are literal explosions. The choreography is tight, often featuring stunt riders who have worked on film sets.
The ticket prices fluctuate wildly. Unlike the fixed pricing models of the national chain, Vegas uses dynamic pricing. If there’s a massive convention in town, like CES or SEMA, expect to pay a premium. On a random Tuesday in February? You can probably find a deal.
One thing that surprises people is the noise. The horses are loud, the crowd is screaming, and the music is pumped in through a heavy sound system. If you have kids with sensory issues, this is a "bring the noise-canceling headphones" kind of situation. It’s an assault on the senses in the best way possible.
📖 Related: Charlie Charlie Are You Here: Why the Viral Demon Myth Still Creeps Us Out
The History of Jousting on the Strip
Las Vegas has a weirdly long history with "dinner and a show." Before the Excalibur, the city was all about the "Lido de Paris" or "Folies Bergère." The shift toward family-friendly entertainment in the 90s is what gave birth to the jousting craze. When the Excalibur first opened, it was part of a movement to make Vegas a place for kids.
Tournament of Kings was originally called "King Arthur’s Tournament." It got a major revamp in 1999 to become what it is today. They upgraded the costumes, the lighting, and the storyline. Even though it's decades old, it remains one of the highest-rated shows for families on the Strip. It stays relevant because it’s one of the few places where a family of four can eat and be entertained for two hours without spending $800.
Breaking Down the "No Utensils" Rule
Let's talk about the food. This is the biggest sticking point for some people. At the "Las Vegas Medieval Times" (Tournament of Kings), the menu is fixed.
- The Soup: Tomato Bisque (Dragon’s Blood).
- The Bird: A whole roasted Cornish Game Hen.
- The Sides: A potato wedge and a singular piece of broccoli.
- The Sweet: Usually a dinner roll and a small dessert like a cookie or turnover.
If you have a gluten allergy or you’re a vegan, you have to tell them well in advance. They do have options, but they aren't the star of the show. The vegan meal is usually a pasta dish or a vegetable-heavy plate, but honestly, you lose a bit of the "medieval" immersion when you’re the only one at the table using a fork.
Is It Worth It in 2026?
With all the high-tech residencies at the Sphere and the massive production value of Cirque du Soleil, a bunch of guys hitting each other with wooden sticks might seem dated. But it’s not. There is something primal about it. The dirt in the arena is specially treated to keep the dust down, but you still feel the thud of the hooves in your chest when the horses gallop by.
👉 See also: Cast of Troubled Youth Television Show: Where They Are in 2026
It’s one of the last bastions of "Old Vegas" campiness. While every other show is trying to be "immersive" with VR or 4D effects, Tournament of Kings is literally immersive because a horse just kicked sand onto your dinner plate. That’s authentic.
Planning Your Visit
If you’re determined to find this experience, here are the logistical nuts and bolts.
- Location: Excalibur Hotel, Basement Level (Fun Dungeon area).
- Showtimes: Usually twice a night, around 6:00 PM and 8:30 PM. They are often dark on Tuesdays.
- Arrival: Get there 30 minutes early. There is a "pre-show" in the lobby where you can buy overpriced plastic swords and light-up wands.
- Seating: There isn't a "bad" seat, but the front row puts you right against the railing. You will get dirty.
Don't bother looking for coupons in those little magazines by the taxi stands anymore. Most of those have moved digital. Check the MGM Rewards app or if you’re a Nevada local, show your ID at the box office for a discount that isn't advertised online.
Common Misconceptions
People often ask if they can see the horses. Yes, actually. If you walk around the back of the Excalibur near the parking garage and the tram station to Luxor, you can sometimes see the stables or the horses being moved. They are treated like elite athletes.
Another big myth is that the "fight" is real. It’s choreographed, obviously. But the hits are real. The lances are designed to shatter on impact for safety, but the riders are taking real falls. It’s high-level stunt work. If a knight falls off a horse, he’s actually falling into the dirt. There are no wires.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of the "Vegas Jousting" experience without the headache, follow this sequence:
- Book directly through the MGM website. Third-party sellers often add "convenience fees" that make the ticket $20 more expensive than it needs to be.
- Skip the large bags. Security at the Excalibur is tight, and there is nowhere to put a backpack under those tiny benches.
- Wash your hands. You are eating a greasy bird with your bare paws in a room full of horse dander. Use the restroom before you sit down because once the show starts, leaving your middle-of-the-row seat is an ordeal.
- Embrace the cringe. If you sit there trying to be cool, you’ll hate it. If you scream for the King of Spain until your throat hurts, you’ll have a blast.
If you were looking for the specific brand "Medieval Times" for a birthday reward or a gift card, you’ll have to save that for a trip to California. But if you just want the experience of a medieval banquet in the middle of the desert, the Excalibur has had you covered since the 90s.