At ICANN85 Mumbai the energy on the ground made one thing clear: the next application round is finally within reach. The window is still set from April 30 to August 12, and ICANN is preparing for up to 2,000 new gTLD applications. Despite travel challenges related to the situation in the Middle East, attendance was actually five percent higher than at the previous ICANN Community Forum in Seattle, a sign of growing interest and industry readiness.
ICANN improves the application experience
A major theme throughout the week was the state of ICANN’s application systems (TAMS). A live demo of the updated submission platform was provided and as approved Registry Service Providers (RSP), both CIRA and SIDN passed ICANN’s rigorous evaluation process the first time, we were pleased to see that our feedback and that of other RSPs has clearly helped shape a more user‑friendly experience for applicants.
The application process is on track
That doesn’t mean there isn’t still a lot to do. Some uncertainty remains around the cost structure for applicants, as ICANN is still finalizing vendor contracts for several services described in the Applicant Guidebook (AGB). Nevertheless, the organization appears to be firmly on track to meet its timelines.
Security and DNS abuse prevention took center stage
In addition to the application round, security and DNS abuse prevention also featured prominently on the agenda. Naturally, these topics were often linked. ICANN requires applicants to mitigate abuse when it’s appropriately reported.
New registry agreement approved
The ICANN Board also approved the 2026 Base Registry Agreement. This is the agreement that will be signed by the organization (registry) applying for a new top‑level domain. The new agreement is an improvement on the previous version in that it contains much more clearly defined requirements for both registries and RSPs, including how to maintain registry services, complying with DNS stability standards and arrangements for oversight.
Looking ahead: ICANN86 in Seville and ICANN87 in Muscat
Upcoming ICANN meetings will take place in Seville, followed by Muscat. ICANN has confirmed that, despite regional tensions, the Muscat meeting remains on the calendar. This meeting is shaping up to be an important one, as it’s likely to coincide with the reveal of the new applications. As Pim Pastoors, Product Manager, SIDN noted: “It’s good—and almost surprising—to see how ICANN is working to stay on target and be successful. This inspires confidence in the actual process.”
Update on Hello Registry partnership between SIDN & CIRA at Mumbai
During the ccTLD news session Pim Pastoors gave an update on the progress of the Hello Registry partnership between CIRA and SIDN. Watch the recording of this session.
Thinking about applying? Here’s where to start
Applications can be filed until August 12. If you’re considering applying on behalf of your brand, city, region or community, join our webinar on March 31 where we’ll unpack what it takes to launch and operate a successful TLD. You can also visit https://helloregistry.com for more information.