A central lock for a folding tent includes a central lock rod, an upper lock plate fixedly disposed at one end of the central lock rod, and a lower lock plate assembly detachably connected to the other end of the central lock rod. An elastic locking member and an unlocking mechanism used to control the elastic locking member to be locked are disposed in the lower lock plate assembly. The elastic locking member includes an arc-shaped portion provided integrally and two horizontal locking rods extending inwards from a gap of the arc-shaped portion. A lower end portion of the central lock rod is provided with a locking groove used in cooperation with the locking rod and a clamping and locking portion located at a lower end of the locking groove.