ICANN opens applications for new domain names in 2026 round
Organisations can now apply to operate new internet domain endings, with the first application window in over a decade running until August 2026.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has opened the application window for its New gTLD Program: 2026 Round, allowing organisations to apply for new internet domain endings.
A domain name is the address used to access a website, such as ‘example.com’. The part after the final dot, like “.com” or “.org”, is called a top-level domain. ICANN manages how these domain endings are introduced and operated globally.
Through this process, companies, governments, and communities can apply to run their own domain endings, for example ‘.brand’, ‘.city’, or sector-specific names. This means they control how that domain is used, including who can register websites under it.
The previous round, held in 2012, led to the creation of more than 1,000 new domain endings, including those linked to companies, regions, and industries.
The 2026 round also expands support for non-Latin scripts, allowing applications in multiple writing systems such as Arabic, Chinese, and Devanagari. This is intended to make domain names more accessible to users in different linguistic contexts.
Applications must be submitted through ICANN’s online system by 12 August 2026. The process is guided by a detailed Applicant Guidebook, which sets out technical, financial, and policy requirements for operating a domain.
Running a top-level domain involves maintaining the infrastructure that connects domain names to websites, as well as complying with global internet governance rules.
