Penn & Teller

Las Vegas, 2001-present

Together since: 1975
Las Vegas debut: 1993, Celebrity Room at Bally's (1993-1998)
Before the Rio: Hollywood Theater at MGM Grand, 1999-2000
Rio opening: January 5, 2001
Record: Longest-running headliners at a single Las Vegas hotel
Current contract: Extended through December 2029
Theater: Penn & Teller Theater at the Rio, nearly 1,500 seats
Penn & Teller Court: Street at Valley View Boulevard renamed for them in October 2025
Lifetime shows: Over 12,000, by Penn Jillette's count
Downtown: Teller backs the Third Street theater complex in downtown Las Vegas

About

Penn Jillette and Teller formed their act in 1975 and first headlined Las Vegas in 1993. The Review-Journal lists their path: six years in the Celebrity Room at Bally's from 1993 to 1998, two years at the Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand in 1999 and 2000, and then the Rio, where they opened on January 5, 2001.

They never left. Despite speculation that they might move to the Jubilee Theater at Bally's, now Horseshoe Las Vegas, or to Paris, the Review-Journal reports the duo stayed because they love the Rio's theater. No other headliners have played longer at a single Las Vegas hotel, and the Rio bills them as the longest-running headliners in Vegas history. The show blends comedy, illusion and skepticism.

In October 2025, as they marked 50 years together and approached 25 years at the Rio, the corner of South Valley View Boulevard and the former West Viking Road beside the resort was renamed Penn & Teller Court, with a Clark County proclamation. They then signed a three-year extension at the Rio running through December 2029, announced on The Tonight Show. Jillette estimates the pair has done more than 12,000 live shows. Their TV series, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, has been on The CW since 2015.

Teller has also put his name behind the arts downtown as the celebrity backer of a Third Street theater complex in the former Downtown Cinemas building, planned to include a 250-seat proscenium theater, a black box and production space.

What to expect

Penn & Teller are performing now. The Rio's own site lists the show in the Penn & Teller Theater, which it says seats nearly 1,500 with balcony and mezzanine seating, plus a separately ticketed post-show meet and greet. Their contract runs through December 2029. Outside, the street beside the resort is signed Penn & Teller Court.

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Good to know

The Rio is one block off the Strip on Flamingo Road, and the resort is part of Hyatt's Destination by Hyatt brand.
A meet and greet requires a separate show ticket, according to the Rio.
The theater was recently renovated, per the Rio's show page.
Some older listings said the duo would move to Horseshoe Las Vegas; the Review-Journal reports that never happened, and the Rio extension runs through 2029.
They have raised money for local charities including Aid for AIDS Nevada and Opportunity Village.

Questions about Penn & Teller

Where do Penn & Teller perform in Las Vegas?

Penn & Teller perform at the Penn & Teller Theater inside the Rio Hotel & Casino, one block off the Strip on Flamingo Road. They opened there on January 5, 2001, and their current contract runs through December 2029. The Rio lists the show on its website.

How long have Penn & Teller been at the Rio?

Since January 5, 2001, which makes them the headliners who have played longest at a single Las Vegas hotel, according to the Review-Journal. They marked 25 years at the Rio in 2026. Before that they spent 1993 to 1998 at Bally's and 1999 to 2000 at the MGM Grand.

Are Penn & Teller moving to Horseshoe Las Vegas?

No. There was speculation that they would move to the Jubilee Theater at Bally's, now Horseshoe, or to Paris, but the Review-Journal reports they stayed at the Rio because they love its theater. They then signed an extension at the Rio through December 2029.

What is Penn & Teller Court?

It is the renamed corner of South Valley View Boulevard and the former West Viking Road beside the Rio. The street was renamed in October 2025 to honor the duo's 50th anniversary performing together and their upcoming 25th anniversary at the resort, with a Clark County proclamation presented at the ceremony.

How big is the Penn & Teller Theater?

The Rio says the recently renovated Penn & Teller Theater seats nearly 1,500 people, with balcony and mezzanine seating available for all performances. A post-show meet and greet with the duo, including a selfie and a signed poster, is sold separately and requires a show ticket. Groups of 20 or more book through the Rio's sales team.

How many shows have Penn & Teller performed?

Penn Jillette said during the duo's run at the London Palladium, as reported by the Review-Journal, that he believes the duo has done more than 12,000 live shows, more than the Beatles and the Rolling Stones combined. That figure is his own estimate rather than an audited count.