What does the latest ICANN 84 GAC communiqué says about the next new gTLD round2 in 2026?

The ICANN 84 Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) Communiqué was issued following the Annual General Meeting in Dublin (October 25-30, 2025). While the full text of the Communiqué should be reviewed for all GAC advice, the key points regarding the next new gTLD round (expected to launch in 2026) are:

🌐 Key Takeaways on the Next New gTLD Round

• GAC Preparation and Capacity Building: The GAC highlighted its commitment to readying its membership for their role in the Next Round of New gTLDs. This includes devoting substantial resources for capacity development of all committee participants, recognizing the complexity of the process.
• Engagement on the Applicant Guidebook (AGB): The GAC was actively discussing the New gTLD Applicant Guidebook (AGB) and other related subsequent procedures during ICANN 84. The GAC's advice to the Board is often informed by these discussions.
• The Board's Action: The ICANN Board adopted the Applicant Guidebook (AGB) for the 2026 round of the New gTLD Program at ICANN 84, clearing the path for the program launch. The Board directed the ICANN organization (org) to publish the AGB no later than December 30, 2025.

🗓️ Projected Timeline for the Next Round

While the Communiqué focuses on GAC advice, related ICANN announcements made at ICANN 84 confirm the expected timeline:

• Final Applicant Guidebook (AGB) Publication: No later than December 2025.
• Application Submission Period Opens: Projected for April 2026 and expected to remain open for 12–15 weeks.

The GAC continues to emphasize a cautious and well-structured approach to the upcoming round, focusing on priority topics like the Applicant Support Program (ASP), Objections (including Early Warnings and GAC Advice), GeoTLDs (Geographic TLDs), and Contention Sets.