Top-level domain company hosts industry gathering at Manchester United match
Nova Registry brought together a broad cross-section of the domain industry for a memorable evening at Old Trafford. The company hosted roughly 20 guests for the Manchester United match, creating an occasion that blended sport, networking and industry conversation. Attendees included representatives from registrars, registries and technology and service providers, all convening while an ICANN meeting took place in the city.
The timing was notable: the gathering occurred just days before the window for new top-level domain (TLD) applications opens. For an industry preparing for another expansion of the TLD space, the event offered a relaxed setting to discuss strategies, partnerships and the opportunities ahead.
“Our goal was to unite the domain industry,” said Nova Registry General Manager Vaughn Liley. “As we prepare for the next wave of top-level domain expansion, we brought together registrars, registries, and technology and service providers. It was about more than just watching the game — we created an environment where people could connect, exchange ideas, and build relationships.”
Nova Registry currently operates the .link TLD and has ambitious plans for the coming application cycle. The company intends to seek a substantial slate of new TLDs this year, signalling a major push in the market. Liley discussed the company’s plans and perspective on the DNW Podcast earlier this year.
The evening’s program combined touring and hospitality with the main sporting attraction. Guests were offered a guided stadium tour that highlighted Old Trafford’s history and facilities. That was followed by drinks, a plated dinner and an informal on-site interview with a former player, giving attendees both context and entertainment before kickoff.
When the match began, Manchester United took an early lead and eventually secured a 2-1 victory. The home side built a 2-0 advantage before Brentford pulled one back late in the match. The result added a celebratory note to a successful night of networking and conversation.
There was one lighthearted twist: Liley himself is a supporter of Manchester City, a rival club. Despite that allegiance, he described the evening as a success for building industry connections and fostering collaboration ahead of the upcoming application period.
Attendees valued the chance to meet peers in a more social setting than a conference hall. For many in the domain space, face-to-face interaction allows for candid discussions about marketplace trends, operational challenges and strategic alliances. The event’s mix of hospitality and sport provided a natural backdrop for those conversations, and the presence of diverse industry players reinforced the goal of unity across different parts of the ecosystem.
Beyond the specific matches and club loyalties, the event underscored a broader theme: as the domain industry prepares for renewed expansion, community and collaboration are essential. Networking opportunities that encourage open dialogue help registries and registrars align on technical standards, marketing approaches and policies that will affect how new TLDs are launched and managed.
The dinner and pregame activities also highlighted the value of informal knowledge exchange. Conversations ranged from technical and operational matters to go-to-market strategies and partnership possibilities. For established firms and newer entrants alike, these face-to-face interactions can spark new ideas and lead to concrete cooperation.
Nova Registry’s decision to host the event at Old Trafford reflected both a respect for the sport’s cultural significance and a desire to create a memorable, high-quality experience. The venue, combined with a tailored program of tour, interview and hospitality, offered an effective setting for relationship building ahead of an important period for the industry.
As the application window opens and the industry moves into another phase of potential expansion, events like this one serve as reminders that relationships matter. Whether planning technical integration, coordinating launch timing or exploring marketing partnerships, the connections formed in settings such as Old Trafford can shape how the next wave of TLDs is introduced and adopted.
Attendees left with more than memories of a close football match; they took away contacts, ideas and a renewed sense of community as the domain sector heads into a busy season of applications and launches.