Don Valley Stadium of these eventualities the seated capacity would have been raised to 45,000. In addition when the British government cancelled the proposed Picketts Lock stadium in Edmonton, London which was to hold the 2005 World Championships in Athletics, UK Athletics suggested to move the host city to Sheffield using the Don Valley Stadium, but the IAAF stated that having London as the host city was central to Great Britain winning the bid to host the tournament. The championships bidding process was reopened as a result with the Helsinki Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland hosting the 2005 World Athletics Championships. Although Sheffield
Don Valley Stadium they were without a ground in Rotherham. Rugby league and American football were staged there, and the Channel 4 celebrity sports show "The Games" also used the stadium. Due to financial problems, the stadium was closed in September 2013. The site has since been redeveloped to include a research centre, sports centre and educational facilities for local universities. At the time of its closure, Don Valley Stadium was the second largest athletics stadium in the UK – with a seated capacity of 25,000 – behind the London Olympic Stadium. The whole of the running track and its infield was illuminated