ICANN application 2026 – apply for your own top-level domain

The new ICANN application round has been officially open since May 1, 2026.

For the first time since 2012, companies, cities and organizations have the opportunity to create their own Top level domain (TLD) such as .brand or .city. The application window closes on August 12, 2026.

What is a top-level domain and who can apply?

A top-level domain (TLD) is the ending of an internet address – for example, .com, .de, or .berlin. Since the first application round in 2000, ICANN has gradually allocated new TLDs in the 2004 and 2012 rounds.

The 2026 round is once again aimed at companies with strong brands, larger cities and communities with a wide reach that want to control their digital infrastructure independently.

Advantages in times of cybersecurity and digital trust

According to the Berlin-based TLD consultancy Dotzon, the current application round is focused on IT security and digital trust.

In light of increasing cyber threats, owning your own TLDs offers concrete strategic advantages: more control over your own IT infrastructure, stronger brand protection, and trustworthy digital services for customers and partners.

“After 9 years of preparation, ICANN is giving the starting signal for the next TLD round. Now is the chance for brands, cities and communities to apply for their own infrastructure,” explains Katrin Ohlmer, Managing Director of Dotzon.

What applicants need to know now

Preparing a TLD application is a complex process and should begin promptly. Key aspects include strategic alignment, budget planning, and meeting ICANN's technical requirements.

Dotzon provides interested parties with a free guide to help with a quick initial assessment: dotzon.consulting/gtld-checkliste-2026.

Dotzon background

Dotzon is a Berlin-based management consultancy specializing in top-level domains. The company actively supported the development of the ICANN application process and assisted with more than 30 applications in the 2012 round.

Dotzon operates, among others, the TLDs .berlin and .hamburg and advises companies, cities, regions and organizations on strategy, application and operation of their own top-level domains.

Background ICANN

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is a non-profit organization founded in 1998 and based in Los Angeles, which is responsible for the global coordination of unique identifiers on the Internet.

This includes, in particular, the management of the Domain Name System (DNS) and the allocation of IP addresses.

Sierks Media / PR Agent / © Photo: Miguel Ángel Padriñán Alba, Unsplash