ICANN Opens 2026 New gTLD Application Round on April 30, Ending a 14-Year Wait
ICANN will accept applications for new generic top-level domains from April 30 to August 12, 2026, the first such window since 2012, with a $227,000 evaluation fee per application.
Overview
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is set to open applications for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) on April 30, 2026, marking the first time in 14 years that organizations can apply for custom domain extensions. The application window will remain open for approximately 105 days, closing on August 12, 2026, according to ICANN’s official program page.
The 2026 round represents a significant expansion of the internet’s namespace. gTLDs are the portion of a web address after the final dot, such as “.com” or “.org.” The new round will allow companies, communities, cities, and other organizations to apply for entirely new extensions tailored to their needs.
What Changed Since 2012
The last application window in 2012 drew nearly 2,000 applications and resulted in more than 1,200 new gTLDs entering the domain name system, according to Rouse. That round produced extensions ranging from brand-specific domains like .google and .amazon to generic ones like .app and .shop.
The 2026 round introduces several structural changes. Applicants can now include a backup TLD string in their application, reducing the administrative burden when a primary choice faces contention from competing applicants, according to Identity Digital. The Registry Service Provider (RSP) evaluation process has also been overhauled: rather than re-evaluating technical service providers for each individual application, RSPs now undergo a single comprehensive pre-approval evaluation covering all future applications.
The process for Internationalized Domain Names (IDNs) has been simplified as well. The 2026 round will support domain names in more than two dozen scripts representing over 300 languages, according to ICANN. Applicants seeking a variant of a string from the 2012 round will receive priority processing.
Application Requirements and Costs
The evaluation fee for the 2026 round is set at $227,000 per application, calculated on a cost-recovery basis to ensure the program is fully funded without drawing from ICANN’s operating budget, according to ICANN. The fee is due upon receipt of invoice and must be received no later than seven days after the close of the application submission period.
The Applicant Guidebook, finalized in December 2025 and developed in collaboration with the Implementation Review Team, serves as the authoritative rulebook for the process. It is available in six languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. The guidebook outlines technical, financial, and operational requirements that applicants must satisfy through a multi-stage evaluation process.
Brand TLDs now require trademark validation and carry an additional fee, with more clearly defined processes for planning and budgeting, according to Identity Digital. ICANN has also expanded the Applicant Support Program, offering training materials, capacity development resources, and potential funding for applicants from underserved regions.
What Remains Uncertain
ICANN has not committed to a predictable schedule for future application rounds. The gap between the 2012 and 2026 windows suggests that organizations considering a custom domain extension may not have another opportunity in the near term, according to Rouse. The total number of new gTLDs that will ultimately be delegated from this round remains unknown, as it depends on the volume and nature of applications received.
The process is described as highly administrative and technically demanding, with industry observers noting that preparation may require up to six months, according to Rouse. Smaller organizations may face barriers due to the cost and complexity involved, raising questions about whether the round will primarily benefit large corporations and established registry operators.