NewgTLDProgram.com Blogs

The Internet’s architecture might seem static — with familiar endings like .com, .org, and .net dominating every address you type. But beneath that surface lies an evolving landscape of internet identity, governance, and digital opportunity. And on April 30, 2026, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is kicking off a transformative moment: the next round of the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program.

For a decade, the gateway to the internet's top layer—the TLD (Top-Level Domain)—has been closed. In 2012, ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) opened the floodgates, resulting in over 1,200 new TLDs. Now, the next application window is imminent, and this time, the process is far more sophisticated, demanding, and strategic.

For more than a decade, the ICANN community has treated the “next round” of new gTLDs as a long-running project plan. Now, with the 2026 round finally approaching, ICANN’s public narrative is confident: the Applicant Guidebook has been adopted, the programs are “on track”, and the application window is expected to open in April 2026.

Every few weeks, I meet enthusiastic founders and organisations who tell me they want to apply for a new top-level domain.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is steadily moving forward with the next round of its New gTLD Program — a once-in-a-decade chance for businesses, communities, and innovators to secure their own top-level domains (TLDs).

A New Regulatory Moment for Digital Identity When the ICANN Board adopted the Next Round Applicant Guidebook, it marked a decisive turning point in the governance of the Internet’s naming system. The ICANN New gTLD Program 2026 round should not be interpreted as a routine continuation of the 2012 expansion but as the formalization of a significantly more mature regulatory framework. Over the past twelve years, ICANN has accumulated extensive evidence about the technical, ope

When MKBHD explored the mystery behind ICANN’s “7 Keys to the Internet,” few expected how deeply it connects to the upcoming ICANN New gTLD Next Round 2026. Domain industry expert Venkatesh Venkatasubramanian reacts to the video, explaining how the same organization that secures the global DNS is now preparing to open the gates for a new wave of ICANN custom TLDs — empowering brands, cities, and innovators to shape digital identity, trust, and the future of the web.

Learn how Venkatesh Venkatasubramanian helps companies apply for new gTLD online — from risk assessment and business planning to full ICANN TLD application preparation, RSP coordination, and post-delegation launch. Expert guidance for ICANN custom TLD, generic, or brand new gTLD applications in the upcoming ICANN Next Round.

Want your brand to the right of the dot? This short guide demystifies how to create a top-level domain the ICANN way: what’s in the ICANN Applicant Guidebook, how to apply for new gTLD online (via the official portal), why choosing a pre-evaluated ICANN RSP saves time and risk, and whether the ICANN Applicant Support Program can cut your costs. With the ICANN Next Round projected to open in Q2 2026 for about 12–15 weeks, it’s the moment to turn ambition into an ICANN TLD appl

The expansion of the internet namespace through ICANN’s New gTLD Program has enabled global brands to apply for and operate their own...