ICANN Kicks Off 2026 New gTLD Applicant Webinar Series to Guide Future Domain Extensions

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has announced the launch of a new educational webinar series aimed at potential participants in the New Generic Top-Level Domains (gTLD) Program: 2026 Round. The initiative is designed to help interested parties better understand the program well ahead of the application window. Both webinars will be delivered online, recorded for later viewing, and will include live question-and-answer segments.

These sessions are intended for a broad audience, including first-time applicants, experienced domain industry participants, and community members who want a clearer view of how the New gTLD Program works. By offering structured guidance early, ICANN aims to lower entry barriers and provide consistent, accessible information to all interested stakeholders.

Overview of the Webinar Sessions

The first webinar, titled Introduction to the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round, will take place on 20 January at 08:00 UTC and will run for 60 minutes. This session is focused on participants who are new to the domain ecosystem and will explain what generic top-level domains are, how the New gTLD Program is structured, and what applicants can expect during the evaluation process.

The second session, 2026 Round New gTLD Applicant Journey Overview, is scheduled for 27 January at 16:00 UTC and will last 90 minutes. It provides a more detailed walkthrough of the full applicant journey, covering key stages, timelines, and decision points from initial preparation through evaluation and beyond. Together, the two webinars are designed to offer both high-level context and practical insight.

Additional Preparation Resources

Alongside the webinar series, ICANN has made additional preparatory materials available to support potential applicants. These resources include frequently asked questions, topic-specific explanations, and other reference materials related to the New gTLD Program and the upcoming 2026 round.

These materials are meant to complement the webinars by giving applicants the ability to explore specific topics in more depth and at their own pace. The combination of live sessions and written resources is intended to help participants approach the application process with greater clarity and confidence.

ICANN’s Broader Role and the 2026 Context

ICANN’s role is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet by coordinating unique identifiers such as domain names and numerical addresses. Since its establishment in 1998 as a nonprofit public benefit organization, ICANN has operated through a global, multistakeholder model that brings together governments, businesses, technical experts, and civil society.

As the 2026 round of the New gTLD Program approaches, these webinars represent an important step in preparing the global Internet community for the next phase of domain name expansion. By offering early, structured guidance, ICANN is setting the groundwork for informed participation in what is expected to be a significant milestone for the domain name system.