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New Domains Open: Apply for Your .Brand or .City!
10 May
Summary
- ICANN reopens applications for new top-level domains after 14 years.
- New domains can use multiple scripts across hundreds of languages.
- Applicants must prove technical and financial ability to run registries.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has officially reopened the application window for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). This historic decision marks the first opportunity in 14 years for organizations to apply for and operate their own unique domain strings.
The new round supports hundreds of languages and multiple scripts, significantly enhancing global internet accessibility. Potential applicants, including businesses, communities, governments, small cities, and non-profits, must demonstrate both technical proficiency and financial stability to manage a domain registry. The application submission window will close on August 12, 2026.
Operating a gTLD offers substantial advantages, such as enhanced security and brand control for businesses. Geographic locations can foster local digital ecosystems, while communities can solidify their online identity. The potential for hundreds of new top-level domains has already sparked widespread speculation about future applications.
