The first circus tent was used in America in 1825. Until then, the word "Circus" didn't signify the show. It meant the temporary wood and canvas building where the show took place. Circuses perform in rings or on stages that are set up in buildings or under large tents called Circus Tents. Some of these tents are bigger than a football field, since, some circuses have one ring while others have several rings and stages of entertainment taking place at one time.