ADG/New gTLD Consulting
New gTLD Consulting

The 2026 application window has closed. ADG supports applications in progress and organizations preparing for the next round.

From ICANN evaluation to an operational TLD.

ADG supports 2026 applicants through evaluation, contention, technical readiness, and delegation. For organizations that did not apply, we help prepare strategy, eligibility, and RSP decisions early for the next round.

Discuss your application statusExplore the support paths
Who Applies for a New gTLD

Four Paths to Your Own TLD

ICANN's new gTLD program is open to a wide range of organizations. Here are the most common categories — useful whether you applied in 2026 or are planning for the next round.

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

Trademark registered in ICANN TMCH

Geographic Entities

Cities, regions, and geographic communities can apply for location-based TLDs with government support letters.

.PARIS, .TOKYO, .JAKARTA model

Government authority support required

Community Organizations

Clearly delineated communities with defined membership can apply for community TLDs with restricted registration policies.

.MUSEUM, .AERO, .HEALTH model

Community endorsement documentation

Generic TLD Operators

Any eligible organization can apply to operate an open generic TLD for commercial or thematic purposes.

.TECH, .CLOUD, .STORE model

Financial capacity & operational plan
What Happens Next

The Road From Application to Delegation

ICANN opens new gTLD application windows only occasionally. The 2026 applications are now entering evaluation; time to delegation depends on evaluation results, objections, contention, contracting, and technical readiness.

Per ApplicationTiming follows the evaluation path
USD 227KICANN base evaluation fee
ICANN MilestonesOfficial planning reference
RSP RequiredMust be named before evaluation

A gTLD application moves through evaluation, potential objections or contention, contracting, and technical readiness. ADG maps the decisions, evidence, and dependencies at each milestone; official ICANN schedules remain the planning reference.

Our Consulting Services

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
Learn about ADG RSP

Process Management

Program coordination across ICANN evaluation, contention resolution, contracting readiness, and delegation.

  • 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)
How We Work Together

Two support paths toward an operational TLD

01

Position and needs mapping

We review application status, organizational goals, string options, team readiness, and the decisions still to be made.

02

2026 applicant path

For submitted applications, ADG supports coordination across evaluation, contention, contracting, RSP selection, and technical readiness.

03

Next-round path

For future applicants, we help prepare string strategy, eligibility, operating models, documentation, and RSP selection early.

04

RSP & technical readiness

We map registry architecture, DNS, EPP/SRS, RDAP, DNSSEC, data escrow, registrar integration, and testing plans.

05

Contracting, delegation & operations

We support coordination through testing, delegation, launch, stabilization, and ongoing registry operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions About New gTLDs

Applied in 2026 or preparing for the next round?

ADG helps map your status, risks, RSP needs, and technical path toward delegation or future application readiness.

Discuss your TLD path

We usually respond within 1–2 business days.

Read next

Continue with guides that connect the concept to your operational needs