ICANN opens up a strategic opportunity for companies and organisations to secure their own digital domain in 2026
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has announced the publication of the New Generic Top Level Domain Program Applicant Guidebook (Round 2026), with the deadline to apply for new Internet domain extensions having opened on 30 April 2026. This new round allows companies, brands, communities, cities and organisations to opt for their own domain extensions, such as ". brand" or ". city", in a context in which digital identity has been consolidated as a key element of business strategy.
Key points:
- A clear timeline for a rare opportunity: the opening of the application period on 30 April 2026 marks a limited time window to access new own domain extensions, in a process that is not triggered on a recurring basis and requires advance planning.
- Own domain as a lever for digital positioning: customised gTLDs, such as ".brand" or ".city", are presented as a tool to reinforce visibility, differentiation and user trust within a coherent digital strategy controlled by the organisation itself.
- More international reach and adaptation to local markets: the 2026 round will significantly expand internationalised domain names (IDNs), available in more than two dozen writing systems and representing more than 300 languages, facilitating a digital presence aligned with different markets and language communities.
- Requirement of solvency and capacity to operate the domain: ICANN will rigorously assess the technical, operational and financial capabilities of applicants, with the aim of ensuring the stability and security of the domain name system and the proper management of new extensions.
- Progressive support to potential applicants: in addition to the Applicant Guidebook, ICANN will make available additional support materials, such as briefing seminars, explanatory documents and FAQs, to facilitate understanding of the process and the proper preparation of applications.
All in all, the Applicant Guidebook is set to become the mandatory reference document for the process, as it sets out in detail the requirements, the issues to be assessed and the different stages that applicants will have to go through in order to be approved for a new domain extension in the 2026 round.
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