ICANN’s New gTLD Program Progress

ICANN is gearing up for the next round of its gTLD program, scheduled to open in April 2026. That’s right—after years of delays, they’re finally closing in on the application window. And let’s be honest, anyone watching the domain space knows this isn’t just about adding shiny new extensions; it’s about reshaping the DNS landscape. The big question: will this bring real competition or just more clutter? Well, they’re still polishing the rules, but the main framework—the Applicant Guidebook—is expected to be finalized by May 2025. That’s the playbook for anyone who wants to get in.

ICANN’s Preparations and Vendor Support

And here’s a fun fact: the ICANN team is actively sourcing vendors for evaluation support. RFPs, RFQs, RFIs—they’re rolling out like they’re trying to fill a warehouse. Why? Because they want this process to be smooth, fair, and, hopefully, a little more transparent than past rounds. They’re also testing evaluation categories—technical, operational, policy—to make sure they’re ready.

Potential Applicants and Market Outlook

On the other hand, many potential applicants from the US are eyeing this window, knowing the country’s dominant internet economy makes it a prime spot for new gTLDs. The last round in 2012 saw a flood of new extensions, but some of those projects turned into ghost towns, while others thrived. That’s what makes this next phase interesting—will we see the same old, or something new?

Application Timeline and Preparation

By the way, they also say that ICANN’s pushing the timeline hard, with the application period lasting around 12 to 15 weeks. That’s tight, especially when you consider all the prep work needed—domain sourcing, legal vetting, technical setup. If you’re thinking of jumping in, you better start sharpening those plans now.

The Key Factors for Success

And let’s not forget, the real meat here is in the details: the evaluation process, vendor support, and the rules that are still being finalized. These are the things that will make or break the next round’s success. Because, at the end of the day, ICANN’s goal is to foster diversity and boost competition—whether that actually happens, well… that’s another story.

So, what do you think? Are we about to see a flood of new domains, or just another round of hype? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Read more about ICANN’s moves, domain sourcing, and web tools on our blog—there’s always something brewing. Hope you liked this update—don’t forget to comment!

Silas "Glich" Vance

My name is Silas, "Glicht" for my friends, they gave it to me and I don't dislike it either, I'm a bit contrary to everyone and I'm on the computer all day, it makes sense haha
I'm looking for expired domains to find opportunities and also for new domains that are being added. I have tried many hostings and servers, I also have my own. I like to share news about this world, domains, hostings, web tools... In general everything about development, webs and companies in the sector.