The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the nonprofit organization that coordinates the Internet's Domain Name System (DNS), has announced that applications for its New gTLD Program: 2026 Round are now open.
Generic top-level domains, or gTLDs, are the part of a web address after the last. For
the first time in over a decade, businesses, communities, governments, and other
organizations have the opportunity to operate unique digital assets, such as .brand, .city, or .industry, for the use of their business, customers, or constituents.
A gTLD is a strategic anchor businesses need to navigate and dominate the digital era, providing control over the left and right of the dot. The previous application round in 2012 resulted in the introduction of more than 1,200 new gTLDs, including those for brands like .google and .microsoft, geographic locations such as .berlin and .tokyo, and general terms like .futbol and .pizza. These gTLDs have demonstrated their value in building brand trust, creating vibrant local digital ecosystems, and providing more intuitive navigation for users.
Benefits of Operating a gTLD
A gTLD is an unparalleled digital home that provides:
Control and Flexibility: Define your own digital ecosystem by determining who
can register under your domain name.
Kenyans React After Larry Madowo Shared Pics of Household Items Dumped
● Fortified Security: Strengthen online transactions and build robust defenses
against cyber-attacks, protecting both your brand and your customers.
● Competitive Edge: Marketers overwhelmingly agree, with 92% recognizing
gTLD benefits like differentiation, enhanced trust, and improved SEO.
"gTLDs are unique digital assets that can be used in meaningful and innovative ways to help achieve long-term goals," said Kurtis Lindqvist, President and CEO, ICANN.
" Whether building a brand for a company, spotlighting a geographic region or city, or launching a business to offer domain names under a new registry, a new gTLD can be an innovative tool for commerce, security, and communication."
The 2026 Round will expand the number of languages available for Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) by accepting TLD applications in 27 different scripts,
representing hundreds of languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Devanagari, and Thai.
This expansion will make the Internet more accessible and user-friendly for billions of
people who use non-Latin-based scripts.
How To Apply
Interested applicants have until 12 August 2026 to submit their applications via the
online TLD Application Management System (TAMS) is accessible here.
To support this process, ICANN offers a comprehensive Applicant Guidebook detailing
all requirements, alongside the Applicant Support Program (ASP), which provides
crucial financial and technical assistance to eligible entities from developing economies like Kenya. Extensive additional resources, including FAQs, user guides, and webinars,are available on the 2026 Round Resources webpage.
