ICANN approves guidebook for next wave of internet domain extensions, targeting 2026 launch
The Applicant Guidebook sets the rules and requirements for organisations seeking to operate new domain extensions. It explains eligibility, application procedures, fees, evaluation steps, and dispute processes.
The board of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has approved the Applicant Guidebook for the next round of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). The decision, made on 3 November 2025 at the ICANN84 meeting in Dublin, clears the way for the next application window to open in 2026.
What the guidebook is and why it matters
Top-level domains are the endings of internet addresses, such as .com, .org, or country codes like .de or .jp. In 2012, ICANN opened the first large-scale expansion, leading to hundreds of new extensions such as .shop, .berlin, and .app. A second round has been planned for years, with governments, businesses, and communities preparing to apply.
The Applicant Guidebook sets the rules and requirements for organisations seeking to operate new domain extensions. It explains eligibility, application procedures, fees, evaluation steps, and dispute processes.
By adopting the guidebook, ICANN formally moves the expansion process into its implementation phase.
How the guidebook was developed
The document is based on more than 300 community-agreed policy recommendations. It follows:
- over 250 hours of meetings by the Implementation Review Team
- five public comment periods
- detailed community discussions to translate policy into operational rules
Before applications can open, the guidebook must be available for at least four months. ICANN now plans to publish the final version no later than 30 December 2025. During this period, the organisation will work with dispute-resolution providers to ensure procedures match the new rules and will make only minor adjustments if needed.
What the next round aims to achieve
ICANN describes the new gTLD initiative as a way to broaden the Domain Name System by adding more choice, including options in different languages and scripts. The goal is to promote diversity, competition, and greater usability of the internet’s addressing system.
Next steps
Once published, the guidebook will serve as the key resource for applicants preparing to participate in the 2026 round. More information will be available on ICANN’s New gTLD Program website.
The adoption marks one of the final procedural steps before opening applications – a milestone long anticipated by internet industry stakeholders and communities hoping to secure new online identifiers.
