NewgTLDProgram.com
ICANN New gTLD Program 2026
Complete Timeline & Key Milestones
The New gTLD Application Process opens April 30, 2026. Whether you're planning a Brand TLD Application, a DotBrand TLD, or a community extension, understanding every phase is critical to Apply for New gTLD successfully. Our ICANN New gTLD Consultants have mapped every milestone so you can Start Your Own TLD with confidence.
Visual Timeline
New gTLD Application Process — Step by Step
Every critical milestone from application to delegation in the ICANN New gTLD Program 2026.
Apr 30, 2026
Application Window Opens
ICANN opens the portal for the New gTLD Application Process. Applicants can begin submitting their applications.
~Oct 2026
Reveal Day
All applied-for strings are publicly disclosed. Applicants and the world learn who is competing for which TLD strings.
Nov 2026 – Feb 2027
Objection Period (104 Days)
Trademark holders, governments (GAC), and other parties can file formal objections based on IP rights, public interest, or community grounds.
2027+
Evaluation, Delegation & Launch
Technical & financial evaluations, contention resolution, pre-delegation testing, registry agreement signing, and TLD delegation.
Aug 12, 2026
Application Window Closes
Deadline to submit all New Domain Extension Applications. Not first-come, first-served — timing doesn't matter.
Reveal Day + 14 Days
String Swap Window
Applicants can switch to pre-selected replacement strings if they discover unfavorable contention sets or potential objections.
~Dec 2026
Prioritization Draw
A lottery determines the processing order of applications. Determines which applicants move through evaluation first.
Aug – Oct 2026
Initial Evaluation Period
ICANN reviews all applications internally. A quiet processing period where no public information is released.
~Nov 2026
String Confirmation Day
Applicants are permanently locked into their chosen string. The objection period clock starts ticking from this date.
~Mid 2027
String Similarity Review Results
ICANN publishes contention sets — groups of applications for identical or confusingly similar strings that must be resolved.
Detailed Breakdown
Six Phases of the ICANN New gTLD Application Process
From pre-application strategy to registry launch — here's what every New gTLD Application Consultant tells their clients to prepare for.
Now – April 2026
Pre-Application Preparation
The most critical phase for any serious applicant. This is when you conduct your String Risk Assessment, finalize your .brand domain strategy, secure financing, select your registry back-end provider, and prepare all required documentation. As ICANN New gTLD Consultants, we recommend beginning at least 6-12 months before the window opens.
Key Actions
-
Conduct comprehensive string risk analysis
-
Prepare financial projections and Cost to Apply for a TLD budget
-
Select registry back-end and technical infrastructure partners
-
Develop your Brand TLD Application narrative and business case
-
Engage legal counsel for trademark and IP strategy
-
Identify replacement strings in case of contention
April 30 – August 12, 2026
Application Submission Window
The 104-day window to submit your New gTLD Application. Applications are not processed first-come, first-served — every submission within the window is treated equally. This is the time to finalize and submit your application through ICANN's online portal. Our New gTLD Application Services include full submission support.
Key Actions
-
Submit application via ICANN's GDS portal
-
Pay the $227,000 application fee
-
Upload all required technical, financial, and operational documentation
-
Verify applicant eligibility and legal entity details
-
Confirm all string selections and replacement strings
-
Final review by your ICANN gTLD Application Support team
October – November 2026
Reveal Day & String Confirmation
Reveal Day is when ICANN publishes all applied-for strings. This is the moment every applicant learns who their competitors are. You'll have exactly 14 days to swap to a pre-selected replacement string if you discover unexpected contention. After the swap window closes, String Confirmation Day locks you in permanently. Our Top Level Domain Consulting clients receive real-time contention analysis on Reveal Day.
Key Actions
-
Monitor Reveal Day announcements for contention sets
-
Analyze competitor applications and their strength
-
Decide whether to swap to a replacement string within 14 days
-
Prepare for potential objection scenarios
-
Lock in your final string choice on String Confirmation Day
November 2026 – February 2027
Objection & GAC Review Period
The 104-day objection period is when third parties can challenge your application. Trademark holders may file Legal Rights Objections, community groups can raise Community Objections, and governments can issue GAC Early Warnings or consensus advisories. Having a strong pre-application risk assessment dramatically reduces surprise objections. Our Brand Registry Consulting team helps you prepare robust defenses.
Key Actions
-
Monitor for incoming objections against your application
-
Prepare responses to Legal Rights Objections (LRO)
-
Address any GAC Early Warnings or government advisories
-
Defend against Community Objections if applicable
-
File objections against competing applications if warranted
-
Engage dispute resolution providers as needed
December 2026 – Mid 2027
Prioritization & Contention Resolution
The Prioritization Draw determines processing order. String Similarity Review results reveal formal contention sets. Applicants in contention must resolve conflicts through community priority evaluation, negotiation, or ultimately auction. Understanding How to Apply for a Top Level Domain means understanding that contention resolution is where many applications succeed or fail.
Key Actions
-
Participate in the Prioritization Draw (lottery)
-
Review String Similarity Review results
-
Engage in contention set negotiations with competing applicants
-
Evaluate community priority paths if applicable
-
Prepare for potential auction scenarios and budget accordingly
-
Continue technical and financial evaluation cooperation with ICANN
2027 and Beyond
Delegation & Registry Launch
Successful applicants enter pre-delegation testing, sign their Registry Agreement with ICANN, and finally see their TLD delegated to the DNS root zone. Then comes the real work: Sunrise and Landrush periods, General Availability launch, and ongoing registry operations. Create Your Own Domain Extension is just the beginning — running it is a long-term commitment. Our end-to-end New gTLD Consulting supports you through launch and operations.
Key Actions
-
Complete Pre-Delegation Testing (PDT)
-
Negotiate and sign ICANN Registry Agreement
-
TLD delegation to the DNS root zone
-
Conduct Sunrise period for trademark holders
-
Execute Landrush and General Availability launch
-
Begin ongoing registry operations and compliance
Critical Insights
What Every Applicant Must Know About the ICANN New gTLD Program 2026
Strategic insights from our ICANN New gTLD Consultants that could make or break your application.
Not First-Come, First-Served
Unlike traditional domain registration, the New gTLD Application Process treats all submissions within the window equally. Submitting on day one gives no advantage over day 104.
​
Contention Resolution Can Take Years
In the 2012 round, some contention sets took 3-5 years to resolve. Applications for popular generic strings like .app and .web faced prolonged battles. Brand TLD Applications typically resolve faster.
​
String Swap — A New Feature for 2026
Unlike the 2012 round, applicants can now swap their applied-for string to a pre-selected replacement after Reveal Day. This 14-day window is a crucial strategic tool to avoid unfavorable contention sets.
​
Government Objections Carry Enormous Weight
While a single government can issue a GAC Early Warning, a full GAC consensus advisory can effectively block an application. Understanding the political landscape is a critical part of How to Apply for a Top Level Domain.
$227,000 Application Fee Is Non-Refundable
The Cost to Apply for a TLD starts with a non-refundable $227,000 evaluation fee. This makes thorough pre-application research through our New gTLD Consulting services essential to protect your investment.
Pre-Delegation Testing Is the Final Gate
Even after clearing all objections and evaluations, applicants must pass technical pre-delegation testing before their Corporate Top Level Domain or community TLD is delegated to the root zone.
​
Limited Application Window
The Application Window Opens April 30, 2026.
Are You Ready?
Don't risk your $227,000+ investment without expert guidance. Our New gTLD Application Services team has helped hundreds of applicants successfully navigate the ICANN New gTLD Program. Start Your Own TLD with confidence — talk to our Brand TLD Consulting experts today.