Preamble

As enshrined in the ICANN Bylaws, the mission of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is to "ensure the stable and secure operation of the Internet's unique identifier systems" and further directs ICANN to coordinate the “allocation and assignment of names in the root zone of the Domain Name System (DNS).” Further, one of ICANN's commitments is to "preserve and enhance the administration of the DNS and the operational stability, reliability, security, global interoperability, resilience, and openness of the DNS and the Internet.”

Iterations of the New gTLD Program have been conducted to introduce new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) over time. As a result of the New gTLD Program round in 2012, ICANN added over 1,200 new gTLDs to the Internet’s namespace, including gTLDs in various languages and scripts. This expansion has helped foster diversity, encourage competition, and enhance the utility of the DNS. The New gTLD Program creates a means for prospective registry operators to apply for new gTLDs, offering new options for consumers in the market and creating significant potential for new uses and benefits to Internet users across the globe. The DNS is expanding again with the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round (2026 Round). The 2026 Round sets out to encourage a competitive environment in the DNS market, including increased choice for end-users and communities, as well as creating a more inclusive Internet by encouraging the adoption of universal acceptance and furthering the use of TLDs in multiple languages and scripts.

The 2026 Round has its origins in carefully deliberated policy development work by the ICANN community. The 2012 Round was implemented based on 19 policy recommendations¹ put forth by the Generic Names Supporting Organization in 2007. The 2026 Round, the rules for which are provided in this Applicant Guidebook, is based on over 300 outputs (Affirmations, Affirmations with Modification, Recommendations, and Implementation Guidance) from the Final Report on the New gTLD Subsequent Procedures Policy Development Process² (SubPro Final Report) as well as the outputs of the Expedited Policy Development Process (EPDP) on Internationalized Domain Names, Policy Development Process (PDP) Review of All Rights Protection Mechanisms in All gTLDs, PDP IGO-INGO Access to Curative Rights Protection Mechanisms, and PDP Protection of IGO and INGO Identifiers in All gTLDs.

These outputs represent the collective efforts of representatives from a wide variety of stakeholder groups (governments, individuals, civil society, business and intellectual property constituencies, and the technology community) over the last several years. Their work considered the 2012 Round and potential changes to the 2026 Round. In March 2023, the ICANN Board adopted a subset of the SubPro Final Report outputs and directed ICANN to begin the work of implementing them. In July 2023, ICANN produced an implementation plan that set out the work required over the next three years, including the development of this Guidebook and the numerous systems and processes required to bring the 2026 Round to life and open the application submission window for a new generation of potential registry operators.

This Guidebook outlines the rules and procedures for the 2026 Round and leads applicants through the process of becoming registry operators. The Guidebook also includes relevant information for ICANN community members seeking to participate in the 2026 Round.

All parts of the ICANN ecosystem collectively look forward to the innovation that will come from the 2026 Round.

For current information, timelines, and activities related to the New gTLD Program, visit: https://newgtldprogram.icann.org/en.