ICANN New gTLD Program 2026: Complete Overview

## What Is the ICANN New gTLD Program? The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) runs the global system that determines which top-level domains (TLD (Top-Level Domain)) exist on the internet. Since the 1980s, the domain name system (DNS (Domain Name System)) operated with a small set of original extensions — .com, .net, .org — plus country-code TLDs (ccTLD (Country-Code Top-Level Domain)) for every nation. That era ended in 2012, when ICANN opened its first New Generic Top-Level Domain Program, accepting applications for entirely new gTLD (Generic Top-Level Domain) strings. The result was transformative: more than 1,200 new extensions — from .app to .xyz — joined the DNS Root Zone overseen by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). Now ICANN is preparing to do it again. The next round of new gTLD applications, widely referred to as the "2026 round" or "SubPro" (after the New gTLD Subsequent Procedures Policy), will be the largest expansion of the domain name system in over a decade. Understanding what this round is, why it matters, and what it means for your organisation is the starting point for every prospective applicant. Use the TLD Finder tool to explore which TLDs already exist before considering a new application. ## Why the 2026 Round Matters The 2012 round proved that new New gTLD strings could build genuine businesses. Extensions like .io, .co, .ai, and .app became culturally and commercially significant. Registries built around geographic, community, and Brand TLD (.brand) identities attracted millions of registrations. At the same time, the round revealed serious flaws: the evaluation process took years longer than expected, string contention auctions became winner-take-all spectacles, and some registries failed outright after delegation. ICANN spent more than five years consulting with the global internet community through its New gTLD Subsequent Procedures (SubPro) working group to address these problems. The resulting policy recommendations — finalised in 2020 and adopted by the ICANN Board in 2022 — form the foundation of the 2026 round. Key improvements include: - **Improved predictability**: A clear, published timeline with defined windows rather than rolling evaluation. - **Lower barriers**: Reduced complexity in certain application categories and a renewed focus on underserved communities. - **Refined string contention resolution**: Updated auction proceeds policies so that funds from contested strings benefit the public rather than enriching applicants. - **Stronger safeguards**: Enhanced requirements around financial capacity, cybersecurity readiness, and applicant accountability. ## Who Is Running the Program? ICANN — a California-based non-profit — coordinates the program at the policy level. The actual evaluation of applications is contracted to independent evaluation panels and specialist firms. IANA, a department of ICANN, ultimately delegates approved TLDs into the root zone and coordinates with the existing Registry Operator community. Registrars — the companies through which end users buy domain names — are not involved in the application process itself, but they play a critical commercial role once a new TLD launches: they are the channel through which registrants purchase second-level domains like yourname.brand or business.shop. ## The Scale of the 2026 Round ICANN expects to receive between 1,000 and 2,000 applications in the 2026 round, based on modelling from the 2012 experience and expressions of interest gathered during the SubPro process. The 2012 round received 1,930 applications covering 1,409 unique strings. Many of those applicants are expected to reapply, while the new policy changes are intended to attract first-time applicants from developing economies and community organisations. The application window itself — the period during which ICANN accepts submissions — is expected to be open for approximately 90 days. After that, a multi-year evaluation and delegation process begins. Not every application that enters the process will result in a live TLD: some will be withdrawn, some will fail evaluation, and some will be lost in string contention. ## Key Categories of New TLD Applications ### Generic Strings These are descriptive words or phrases — .shop, .music, .hotel — that attract multiple applicants and serve a broad market. They typically face the highest competition and the most complex string contention processes. ### Brand TLDs Companies can apply for their own Brand TLD (.brand) — .google, .amazon, .bmw — to create a controlled namespace for internal or consumer-facing use. The 2026 round is expected to see significant brand TLD activity, especially from corporations that held back in 2012 due to uncertainty. ### Geographic and Community TLDs Cities, regions, and cultural communities can apply for TLDs that represent them — .nyc, .paris, .islam. These applications face additional scrutiny from ICANN's Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) and must demonstrate genuine community support. ### Internationalised Domain Names (IDN TLDs) Strings written in non-Latin scripts — Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Devanagari — represent a major priority for the 2026 round. ICANN has explicitly committed to making the round accessible for applicants from regions where Latin-script domains are not the natural choice. ## The Evaluation Journey Once submitted, an application goes through multiple evaluation stages: 1. **Administrative completeness review**: Does the application include all required materials? 2. **String similarity evaluation**: Does the applied-for string conflict with existing TLDs or reserved strings? 3. **Financial evaluation**: Can the applicant demonstrate the resources to build and operate a registry? 4. **Technical evaluation**: Does the applicant have — or contract with — a Registry Operator capable of running a secure, stable TLD? 5. **Community and legal objection periods**: Third parties can challenge applications on defined grounds. 6. **String contention resolution**: If multiple applicants want the same string, a resolution process (including possible auction) decides who proceeds. 7. **Registry Agreement negotiation and signing**: Successful applicants sign a contract with ICANN. 8. **Delegation**: The TLD is added to the DNS Root Zone and becomes resolvable on the internet. This journey typically takes two to four years from application submission to delegation, though ICANN has committed to improving efficiency in the 2026 round. ## Why This Round Is Different From 2012 | Factor | 2012 Round | 2026 Round | |--------|-----------|-----------| | Applications received | 1,930 | Est. 1,000–2,000 | | Application fee | $185,000 USD | $185,000+ (adjusted) | | Evaluation duration | 4–7 years (many cases) | Target: 2–4 years | | String contention | Ad hoc auction | Structured auction + community priority | | Auction proceeds | Retained by ICANN | Policy under community discussion | | Underserved region support | Limited | Dedicated support programme | | IDN applicant support | Limited | Priority focus | ## What This Round Means for the Domain Ecosystem For the Domain Registrar industry, more TLDs mean more inventory to sell. For brand owners, it means more opportunities — and more threats, as competitors or cybersquatters could seek strings that infringe on trademarks. For registrants, the eventual result is more choice: more meaningful, targeted, or memorable domain extensions. For domain investors, the 2026 round is a significant event. Premium domains in new TLDs — especially short, dictionary-word registrations — can be valuable. Understanding which new strings are likely to be delegated, and when, informs domain acquisition strategy. ## Next Steps for Prospective Applicants The first step is education. Read all twelve guides in this series to understand the full process. Then engage with ICANN's public comment processes, attend ICANN meetings (held three times per year in different cities), and work with consultants experienced in the new gTLD program. Applications for the 2026 round require significant preparation — legal, technical, and financial. Most successful applicants in 2012 spent one to two years preparing before the application window opened. Those who waited until the window to start scrambling were rarely competitive. See ICANN 2026 Timeline: Key Dates and Milestones for detailed dates and milestones, and How to Apply for a New gTLD in 2026 for a step-by-step walkthrough of the application process itself. ## The Multi-Stakeholder Policy Context The 2026 round is the product of years of community policy development. ICANN's New gTLD Subsequent Procedures (SubPro) Policy Development Process involved hundreds of participants: registries, registrars, businesses, governments, civil society, and individual internet users. Each constituency made concessions to produce a framework that attempts to balance commercial viability with community protection and internet security. Key policy improvements adopted for 2026 include mandatory abuse prevention plans, enhanced financial capacity thresholds, structured auction proceeds allocation, and dedicated support for applicants from developing economies. These changes address the most significant shortcomings identified from the 2012 experience. ## Frequently Asked Questions **Q: Can an individual apply for a new TLD?** No. ICANN requires applicants to be legal entities — corporations, LLCs, foundations, or governmental bodies. Natural persons acting in an individual capacity cannot apply. Individuals must form a legal entity before submitting an application. **Q: Can I apply for a TLD containing numbers?** Yes, with conditions. Purely numeric strings are reserved, but strings combining letters and numbers (such as .web3) are permissible if they meet the technical validity criteria defined in the Applicant Guidebook. **Q: What happens to the .com registry during this process?** Nothing changes for existing TLDs. VeriSign continues to operate .com under its existing Registry Agreement with ICANN. The new gTLD (Generic Top-Level Domain) program operates entirely separately from the management of existing extensions. **Q: Is the internet technically capable of handling thousands more TLDs?** Yes. The DNS (Domain Name System) is designed to accommodate an effectively unlimited number of TLDs. The DNS Root Zone managed by IANA currently contains over 1,500 TLDs and can handle many thousands more without technical degradation. Recursive resolvers, operating systems, and browsers all handle the expanded namespace transparently.