2026 Round

The second application round of ICANN (glossary)ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers The nonprofit that coordinates the global DNS and gTLD policy. Full definition of ICANN's New gTLD Program (glossary)New gTLD Program ICANN's program for applying to create and run new generic TLDs. Full definition of New gTLD Program, after the 2012 round (glossary)2012 round The first round of ICANN's New gTLD Program, which opened for applications in 2012. Full definition of 2012 round. Organizations applied to run new top-level domains in 2026, under rules set in a new Applicant Guidebook (glossary)Applicant Guidebook The rulebook for applying for a new gTLD in an ICANN round. Full definition of Applicant Guidebook. Applications then go through evaluation, contention resolution and contracting (glossary)contracting The stage when a successful applicant signs its Registry Agreement with ICANN. Full definition of contracting.