Own Your Internet Namespace
The ICANN 2026 New gTLD Round opens April 30 – August 12, 2026. ADG provides end-to-end consulting for brand owners, geographic entities, and communities ready to apply for their own top-level domain.
Four Paths to Your Own TLD
ICANN's 2026 Round is open to a wide range of applicants. Here are the most common categories — if your organization fits one, you may be eligible.
Brand Owners
Companies with registered trademarks can apply for a .brand TLD — operating the extension exclusively for their own digital ecosystem.
.YOURCOMPANY, .NIKE, .GOOGLE model
Geographic Entities
Cities, regions, and geographic communities can apply for location-based TLDs with government support letters.
.PARIS, .TOKYO, .JAKARTA model
Community Organizations
Clearly delineated communities with defined membership can apply for community TLDs with restricted registration policies.
.MUSEUM, .AERO, .HEALTH model
Generic TLD Operators
Any eligible organization can apply to operate an open generic TLD for commercial or thematic purposes.
.TECH, .CLOUD, .STORE model
The 2026 Round is a Rare Opportunity
ICANN opens new gTLD application windows only occasionally — the last round was in 2012. This is a high-stakes, once-in-a-decade chance.
A gTLD application involves multiple evaluation stages, potential contention with other applicants, legal negotiations, and technical readiness assessments. Without expert guidance, the risk of costly mistakes is high.
Guided Every Step of the Way
ADG's consulting team brings firsthand ICANN registry operations experience to your gTLD journey.
String Strategy & Eligibility
We help you choose the right TLD string, assess eligibility requirements, identify potential conflicts, and develop a backup strategy.
- String selection & conflict analysis
- Eligibility category assessment
- Singular/plural & variant planning
- Contention strategy preparation
Application Documentation
Preparing a complete, defensible ICANN application — business plan, financial projections, technical stack, and organizational capacity.
- Business plan & financial modeling
- Organizational capacity proof
- Technical architecture documentation
- Security & DNS abuse mitigation plan
Compliance & Legal
Navigating OFAC compliance, jurisdictional requirements, and Registry Agreement terms with expert legal guidance.
- OFAC & sanctions compliance check
- Jurisdiction-specific requirements
- Registry Agreement review
- Ongoing policy compliance
RSP Selection Guidance
Selecting the right Registry Service Provider is critical — your RSP will run the technical backbone of your TLD. ADG offers RSP services directly and can guide you through the evaluation.
- RSP evaluation criteria & comparison
- Technical capability assessment
- SLA and pricing negotiation support
- ADG RSP services available
Process Management
Hands-on project management throughout the 14–19 month ICANN evaluation, contention resolution, and contracting phases.
- ICANN milestone tracking
- Evaluation & Extended Evaluation support
- Contention resolution strategy
- Contracting & delegation support
Community Strategy
For community TLD applicants: building the documentation, endorsements, and policies needed to score well in Community Priority Evaluation.
- Community establishment documentation
- Registration policy design
- Endorsement coordination
- CPE scoring optimization (≥75% threshold)
From First Call to Your Domain Live
Free Consultation & Eligibility Check
We assess your eligibility, discuss string options, and outline the full process — no commitment required.
Application Preparation & RSP Selection
ADG's team prepares all documentation and guides you in selecting the right Registry Service Provider for your TLD.
ICANN Submission
We submit your complete application during the window (April 30 – August 12, 2026) and handle all ICANN communications.
Evaluation & Contention
We manage the 6–14 month evaluation phase, respond to inquiries, and strategize through any contention proceedings.
Contracting & Delegation
Finalize your Registry Agreement with ICANN and coordinate technical delegation — your TLD is now live on the internet.
Common Questions About New gTLDs
Ready to Apply for Your Own TLD?
The 2026 ICANN window opens April 30. ADG's team is ready to guide you from eligibility check through delegation — contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Schedule Free ConsultationNo commitment required. We'll assess your eligibility and outline a clear path forward.