In 2026, ICANN will open the next application round for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs). For businesses, cities, communities, and organizations, this is a once-in-a-decade opportunity to secure their own corner of the Internet — whether that’s a .brand, a .city, or a .community.

But with opportunity comes complexity. The new round is expected to be the most challenging in ICANN’s history. Applications will require detailed answers to more than 200 questions, along with extensive supporting documentation. Success will depend on being well prepared — and starting early.

That’s why we developed PitchDot: a secure, collaborative platform that helps applicants draft and manage their applications long before ICANN’s official submission system opens.

‍

Why PitchDot?

Applying for a gTLD is not like filling in a simple form. It’s a complex project involving legal, financial, and technical inputs across multiple teams. In our experience from the 2012 round, organizations that underestimated the effort often found themselves scrambling to put answers together, while those that prepared early gained a clear advantage.

PitchDot was designed to make preparation easier, safer, and more structured. It provides:

• A guided process: All 233 ICANN questions are built into the platform, so nothing is missed. Each answer can be drafted, reviewed, and refined in one place.
• Secure collaboration: Legal teams, consultants, and internal stakeholders can work together without worrying about version control or data leaks. Everyone sees what’s been done, what’s pending, and what still needs attention.
• Clarity and progress tracking: Each question and document has a clear status, so teams always know where they stand. No hidden surprises.
• Confidence at submission time: By the time ICANN’s system (TAMS) opens, applicants using PitchDot will already have complete, polished answers and documents ready to go.

‍

Built on Experience

Pitch isn’t new to this. In the 2012 round, our team supported close to 150 applications — from major international brands to community and geographic initiatives. We advised on strategy, drafting, objections, and registry agreements, and represented applicants in ICANN’s dispute resolution mechanisms.

We saw what worked, what didn’t, and what caused headaches for applicants. That knowledge is now embedded in PitchDot’s design. Every feature is there to solve a problem we know applicants face: coordinating across teams, managing sensitive information, and ensuring compliance with ICANN’s strict standards.

‍

A Forward-Looking SaaS Platform

The 2026 round will be more demanding than ever. Applicants will need to show strong governance, financial stability, and safeguards against abuse. They’ll also need to demonstrate how their TLD will add value to the global Internet.

PitchDot is more than just a form-filling tool. It’s a strategic preparation environment. By working in PitchDot, applicants don’t just tick boxes — they build a coherent, well-supported application that reflects their vision and meets ICANN’s expectations.

And because PitchDot is a secure, multi-tenant platform with enterprise-grade protections, applicants can be confident their sensitive plans and documents remain safe throughout the process.

‍

How Clients Benefit

Using PitchDot, our clients can:

• Start today: There’s no need to wait for ICANN’s system. Applications can be drafted, reviewed, and finalized months or years in advance.
• Work together seamlessly: Different teams and advisors can contribute in a structured way, with clear oversight and accountability.
• Reduce stress: With everything in one place — questions, documents, status updates — the process becomes manageable instead of overwhelming.
• Leverage Pitch’s expertise: Our legal and strategic guidance is available at every step, ensuring answers aren’t just completed, but are strong, defensible, and aligned with ICANN’s rules.
• Be ready on day one: When the application window opens, our clients will be among the best prepared to submit complete, compliant applications.

‍

More Than Just a SaaS Platform

PitchDot is part of our broader mission at Pitch: to combine legal expertise with smart technology so that innovators, businesses, and communities can seize opportunities without being held back by complexity.

For the new gTLD round, this means giving applicants a secure space to prepare, backed by a team that has been at the forefront of gTLD policy, disputes, and strategy for over a decade.

‍

Looking Ahead

The coming ICANN round will shape the Internet for years to come. Organizations that prepare now will be in the strongest position to benefit — whether that means owning their brand at the root of the Internet, creating trusted digital spaces for communities, or launching innovative new services.

With PitchDot, we’re helping our clients move early, move smart, and move with confidence.

To learn more about how PitchDot can support your gTLD ambitions, reach out to Bart (bart@pitch.law).