Why are circus tents round?

Answer 1

Perhaps because it needs only a central support pole?? Circus tents are not always round although a round design is the best for general vision. Small circuses toured with a central pole in the middle of the ring and this was called 'a one pole tent'. A central section could be added called 'the centre' placed between two poles and this would be called 'the two pole tent' with still a central ring clear of the pole but the audience would be quite near at one side and further away at each end - not as good really to the one pole tent. The much more recent four pole tent is more ideal and can be of varying sizes to suit the required seating capacity or size of the circus. A small four pole tent, say, 80ft in diameter, could seat about 1000 persons whilst the largest (in my experience being Billy Smart) could seat up to 6000 persons. The central ring is an agreed size of 42ft in diameter.