New domain extensions for hobbies and sports - what are they?

Since the creation of the Domain Name System (DNS) for resolving addresses in the global computer network, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has been introducing new domain extensions at irregular intervals. The first major step was the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) consisting of two letters, such as .de or .at. This was followed by generic top-level domains (gTLDs) that are not location-dependent but usually have a thematic reference. Since 2010, these have provided an increasingly diverse range of permissible TLDs, allowing more individuals to secure a private or commercial desired domain within a suitable framework. In this comparison, we have listed affordable domains for rent.

How and when are new domain extensions introduced?

The general control of TLDs lies within the responsibility of ICANN, which, however, only monitors the DNS and its associated name servers and allocates numerical addresses of Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) and Version 6 (IPv6). Registration and management are handled by registrars, who independently manage generic domain extensions as well as regional or country-specific domains in their own technical infrastructure. They pay licensing fees to ICANN for this right and, in turn, charge fees to their customers who acquire a second-level domain - that is, a domain or address - under the gTLD or ccTLD.

ICANN introduces new domain extensions upon request and auctions the license for their operation if multiple interested parties meet the formal requirements for acquisition. Between 2014 and 2019 alone, the non-profit organisation based in the USA provided more than 1000 new extensions, many of which relate to hobbies and sports and can be used for both private and commercial purposes.

What new domain extensions exist for sports and hobbies?

Many new domain extensions are based on English names and use them to designate a specific sport, hobby, or overarching term. These include, for example:

• .dance for topics related to dancing
• .band for music groups
• .art for artists, studios, museums, and collectors
• .game for all types of games
• .photos for photos, cameras, and accessories
• .blog for private and public blogs
• .lol for humour, memes, satire, and fun
• .auto for motorised vehicles with two, four, or more wheels

Generic domain extensions from this list can already be registered for a fee and used immediately (as of 2020/21). In addition, there are many new domain extensions whose introduction is still in the planning phase, and for which ICANN has not yet announced a fixed date. Among them are some new domain extensions that have been rarely represented thematically so far, including:

• .basketball for this sport
• .eat for topics related to food
• .living for lifestyle and more
• .play as a complement to .game
• .talk and .forum for conversations in a community
• .kid for children, education, and relevant topics
• .new and .now as classic gTLDs without a fixed genre
• .dad for personal and family content

Are there any requirements for registering new domain extensions?

With very few exceptions, the new ones can be used as typical generic domain extensions without any restrictions on the regional location, content orientation, or purpose. The main differences lie in the pricing strategy of registrars, with many domains like .art or .blog being offered at a low cost, while others - such as .game with three-figure or .auto with four-figure sums per year - create a corresponding cost barrier. One advantage of this approach for commercial interests or those seeking a representative platform is that the high fees make many attractive second-level domains available, allowing for clear identification. We have introduced more new generic domains in this article.

Find domains now in our domain comparison

Photo: Irina L on Pixabay