ICANN New gTLD Program — Where Things Stand as of November 2025 (Latest Updates)

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). As of November 2025, several critical milestones have been achieved — while some timelines remain tentative.

Below is a comprehensive status update on what's done, what's ongoing, and what to expect next.

What’s Done in Major Milestones Achieved

Applicant Guidebook (AGB) Adoption

On 3 November 2025, ICANN announced that its Board has adopted the Next Round Applicant Guidebook. This is significant because the ICANN New gTLD Applicant Guide Book is the authoritative rulebook for the application process — it defines evaluation criteria, technical and financial requirements, objection procedures, rights protection mechanisms, DNS-abuse prevention measures and more.

Registry Service Provider (RSP) Pre-Evaluation Program Completed

The pre-evaluation phase for prospective Registry Service Providers (RSPs) — entities that provide the technical backend support required to run a TLD — has concluded.  By the end 2025 (expected around December), ICANN is slated to publish the list of “pre-evaluated” / approved RSPs. 

System Upgrade: Registry System Testing (RST v2.0)

As part of the preparation for the next round, ICANN rolled out RST v2.0 — an upgraded, automated system to test registry services. The new system went live on 29 July 2025, with production use starting 11 August 2025. Though the build is live, the system remains “yellow” status — meaning some additional functionality and bug-fixes are ongoing, expected to shift to “green” once resolved in coming months.

Applicant Support Program (ASP) Active & Deadline Extended

To promote broader participation — especially from non-profits, small entities or under-represented communities — ICANN’s Applicant Support Program (ASP) remains active. Initially slated to close earlier, the submission deadline was extended. Entities that entered their organizational data by 19 November 2025 now have until 19 December 2025 to complete their application under ASP. This extension is important: ASP offers financial and non-financial support (including possible bid-credits in contention resolutions) and lowers barriers for smaller players.

What’s Underway — Ongoing Work & Preparations

Base gTLD Registry Agreement (Next Round RA) Still Under Review

As part of setting up contractual terms for new TLD operators, ICANN published a draft “Base gTLD Registry Agreement (Next Round RA)” and is seeking public feedback. The finalization of this contract remains a critical piece — only once this is approved will new gTLD operators know the exact obligations, compliance requirements, and framework under which their registry will operate. 

Outreach, Engagement, and Global Awareness Campaign

ICANN’s Global Stakeholder Engagement (GSE) and communications teams have been actively working to raise awareness about the Next Round. Between July and September 2025 alone, there were numerous events: regional DNS forums, global conferences (IGF Global, LAC DNS, etc.), and even outreach in India among other emerging markets. This aims to encourage participation from a more diverse set of applicants — startups, community initiatives, nonprofits, regional players, and non-Latin script entities. 

Preparing for the 2026 Application Window

With procedural groundwork underway, ICANN plans to open the application submission window for the Next Round in April 2026 — projected to run for about 12 to 15 weeks. This means prospective applicants now have a transitional period to prepare: finalize business plans, choose an RSP (from the soon-to-be-published list), complete their ASP applications (if relevant), arrange finances, and plan string strategy (TLD name, rights protection, marketing, etc.).

What to Watch in New gTLD Next Round - Challenges & Uncertainties

While significant progress has been made, some key elements carry uncertainty or warrant caution:

• The final Base Registry Agreement is not yet locked — public feedback is still being solicited. Until that is settled, some business-planning parameters remain fluid.

• RST v2.0, though live, still needs bug fixes and additional functionality before it hits “green” status. Delays here could impact readiness for pre-delegation testing or registry operations.

• For smaller entities relying on ASP, the extension helps — but support slots are limited, and competition (or lack of awareness) might still leave many without help.

• The program’s success will depend heavily on adoption — both by mainstream brands and newer players (startups, regional communities, non-Latin script entities). As one recent analysis observed, merely giving the option of a “.BRAND” TLD doesn’t guarantee its strategic use.

What This Means for You - Especially If You’re Interested in Applying

If you are a brand owner, startup, community, or an aspiring registrar/registry, here’s what you should do now:

• Start working on your gTLD strategy — think domain name(s), brand identity, pricing, technical backend, marketing plan. The next window opens in April 2026.

• If you need financial or operational support, complete your ASP application — the deadline is now 19 December 2025.

• Keep an eye on ICANN’s RSP list (once published) and plan to select a reliable backend provider.

• Watch for the final Base Registry Agreement — this will define responsibilities around compliance, registry operations, DNS abuse prevention, etc.

• If you're a brand start reaching out right now to a New gTLD Consultant who can help you prepare your brands application for the New gTLD Next Round. Waiting until the application window opens means you're already late. Educate stakeholders early — that head start could make all the difference.

Why the 2026 Round Matters - And Why It’s Different from 2012

The upcoming round isn't just a repeat of 2012. It's markedly more mature, more structured, and more inclusive:

• The new processes (ASP, RSP evaluation, RST v2.0) reduce friction, especially for smaller players and non-traditional applicants.

• The Applicant Guidebook tightens criteria around DNS-abuse prevention, rights protection (e.g. trademark protections), and technical/financial readiness — reflecting lessons learned from the 2012 wave.

• Intellectual and geographic diversity is explicitly encouraged: non-Latin scripts, community TLDs, and more inclusive participation models are being fostered.

Conclusion - "New gTLD Program updates 2025"

As of November 2025, the next round of the New gTLD Program updates 2025 is shaping up to be real. With the Applicant Guidebook adopted, RSP pre-evaluation done, system upgrades underway, and the Application Support Program still open — the path to April 2026 is becoming increasingly clear.

For those — like you — working in gTLD consulting, registrar accreditation, or brand advisory: now is the time to prepare. The foundation is laid. What remains is planning, outreach, strategy, and swift execution once the application window opens.

The internet’s namespace is about to expand again — with new opportunities for brands, entrepreneurs, communities, and innovators.