This year is a complete one for the .barcelona domain. We’re celebrating ten years on the internet, a decade when we have accompanied hundreds of companies, projects and communities that have opted for Barcelona as their digital address. Yet this anniversary coincides with a very special moment for the whole ecosystem of domain names: for the first time in a decade, the ICANN is opening up to new domains.

The .barcelona domain started life ten years ago

The last time the ICANN opened up to the creation of new generic domains (gTLD) was in 2012. That process led to more than 1,200 new extensions, including domains such as .bmw, geographical domains such as .berlin, and themed domains such as .shop and .eco. And of course, .barcelona, which marks its tenth anniversary this year.

That round transformed the internet. It showed that the network could be more diverse, more local and more representative of the global reality.

New window in 2026

On 30 April 2026, the ICANN officially opened the application period for the new round of the new gTLD programme. The window will be open until 12 August 2026, and any organisation, company, government, community or association can present their candidacy to manage a new domain extension.

The goal of this new round is to continue expanding and diversifying the internet domain name system, fostering competence, inclusion and the representation of communities with no presence until now on the internet. For the first time, applications in non-Latin alphabets are being accepted, a step to make the internet more accessible around the world.

How does the process work?

The ICANN has published the Applicant Guidebook, with full information on the whole process: requisites, assessment, resolution of conflicts between candidacies and contractual conditions with the ICANN.

All this information can be found on the official page newgtldprogram.icann.org.

A forward-looking anniversary

The tenth anniversary of the .barcelona domain is a significant moment. It reminds us of where we come from and inspires us to keep working for Barcelona to have a strong and visible digital presence around the world. The internet is growing again. And we’re there.

You can find all the information from this article at www.icann.org.