ICANN New gTLD 2026 Application FAQ: How to Apply, Costs, Timelines, RSPs, ASP, and Contention (Detailed Guide)

ICANN’s New gTLD Program: Next Round is projected to open the new gTLD application submission period in April 2026 for 12–15 weeks. This is not “buying a domain name”; it is applying to operate a top-level domain registry—internet infrastructure with contractual, technical, financial, and compliance obligations.

This long-form FAQ is written for people actively searching for terms like “how to apply for a new gTLD”, “ICANN new gTLD 2026”, “new gTLD application cost”, “Registry Service Provider evaluation”, “Applicant Support Program”, “dot brand TLD application”, and related queries—while staying aligned to what ICANN has formally published so far.

1) What is a gTLD, and why would an organization apply for one?

A generic top-level domain (gTLD) is the suffix to the right of the final dot, such as .com, .org, or a brand-controlled extension like .brandname. In ICANN’s model, the successful applicant becomes (or contracts with) the registry operator responsible for the authoritative database and the technical operation of that TLD.

If you are a brand (DotBrand / “.BRANDNAME”)

The primary value is usually control and trust: you can operate a closed, brand-controlled namespace where only the brand (and approved parties) can register names, reducing impersonation surface area.

If you are building a category, community, or geographic identity

Your value case is typically adoption and policy: eligibility rules, community definition, geographic approvals, and a go-to-market model that can survive scrutiny and competition.

If you are investing in a generic string

Your risk is higher because you must plan for contention, objections, and an open, non-discriminatory model (closed generics are not expected to be permitted).

NewgTLDProgram.com helps organizations evaluate whether a gTLD makes strategic sense in their specific context—DotBrand, community, or generic—before any application decisions are made. Venkatesh works with applicants to align purpose, eligibility, policy model, and ICANN requirements into a defensible gTLD strategy from day one.

2) Who can apply for a new gTLD in the 2026 round?

ICANN’s published guidance states that any established entity located anywhere in the world can apply to form and operate a new gTLD registry.

Individuals (as individuals) vs. “established entities”

If you are an individual, you generally need a legally-formed entity (company, nonprofit, etc.) to be the applicant, because ICANN frames eligibility around established entities.

Government/IGO applicants

Government or intergovernmental applicants may have additional designation requirements and/or processes, depending on the type of string and intended use.

NewgTLDProgram.com advises applicants on eligibility structuring, including entity formation, ownership models, and applicant designation to align with ICANN’s rules. Venkatesh helps de-risk eligibility issues early, especially for individuals, holding companies, and government-adjacent applicants.

3) What types of new gTLD applications exist (Brand, Geographic, Community, IDN, etc.)?

ICANN distinguishes general applications from specialized applications that carry conditional requirements depending on the string, the applicant, and/or the intended use.

Common specialized designations include: Geographic Name, Reserved Name, Community, Brand TLD, IDN, Variant strings, Government/IGO, and Applicant Support Program-qualified applicants.

Geographic Name applications

These typically require supporting documentation from the relevant government(s) or public authority.

Brand TLD applications

These typically require proof tied to trademark rights (commonly described as an SMD file from the Trademark Clearinghouse in published guidance).

IDN and Variant applications

These must align with the Root Zone Label Generation Rules (RZ-LGR) and variant evaluation rules.

NewgTLDProgram.com helps applicants correctly classify their application type and understand the additional documentation and approvals each designation requires. Venkatesh works closely with applicants to ensure brand, geographic, community, and IDN strategies align with the Applicant Guidebook before submission.

4) When does the ICANN 2026 new gTLD application window open, and how long will it stay open?

ICANN’s public “Next Round” materials state the application submission period is projected to open in April 2026 for 12–15 weeks, and dates remain subject to change.

If you are aiming for Applicant Support (ASP)

Your planning timeline must start earlier, because the support process runs ahead of the main application window and has hard cutoffs.

If your string is likely to be contested

Your operational and budget timeline should assume a longer path due to contention sets and possible auctions.

NewgTLDProgram.com helps applicants build a realistic pre-2026 timeline, including early readiness for Applicant Support and contention risk. Venkatesh advises on sequencing internal decisions so the fixed ICANN window does not become a constraint.

5) How much does it cost to apply for a new gTLD in 2026?

Answer: ICANN has published a gTLD evaluation fee of USD 227,000 per application.

ICANN also states the fee is due upon receipt of invoice and must be received no later than seven days after the close of the application submission period; otherwise the application is generally cancelled.

Variant strings (IDN variants)

The base fee may include the option for up to four variant strings, with additional variants requiring another USD 227,000 each (verify against the final Applicant Guidebook module language once published).

Brand TLD eligibility checks

Some published guidance references a USD 500 Brand TLD eligibility fee in the context of Specification 13.

Applicant Support Program applicants

If you qualify for ASP, ICANN indicates the evaluation fee discount range is 75–85%.

Payment methods

ICANN’s published fee FAQ indicates payments are via approved bank methods (e.g., wire/ACH/SWIFT), not checks/cash/credit cards.

NewgTLDProgram.com supports applicants with end-to-end cost modeling beyond ICANN fees, including ASP eligibility, variants, and long-term operational budgets. Venkatesh ensures financial assumptions align with ICANN scrutiny before the application is submitted.

6) What other costs should we budget beyond the ICANN evaluation fee?

The ICANN evaluation fee is only one component; you must budget for legal, technical operations, security, and program execution.

If you use a Registry Service Provider (RSP)

Your cost model becomes a multi-year services contract covering registry platform, DNS/DNSSEC, EPP, escrow integrations, reporting, compliance support, SLAs, and incident handling.

If you self-operate (be your own RSP)

You may reduce vendor fees but usually increase internal capex/opex and staffing burden, and you must still satisfy the RSP evaluation/testing expectations.

If your TLD is open and retail-facing

Expect additional cost for registrar engagement, policy documentation, abuse mitigation tooling, and launch phases (e.g., sunrise/claims where relevant).

NewgTLDProgram.com helps applicants build a realistic multi-year budget that goes beyond ICANN fees, covering RSP contracts, compliance, security, and launch operations. Venkatesh works with applicants to stress-test cost assumptions against ICANN’s financial scrutiny.

7) What is the Applicant Support Program, who is eligible, and what is the deadline?

ICANN’s Applicant Support Program (ASP) provides financial and non-financial support to eligible entities that demonstrate financial need.

ICANN extended the ASP process so entities that entered required organization information by 19 November 2025 could submit a complete application by 19 December 2025.

If you are still deciding whether to pursue ASP

If you did not enter organizational info by the cutoff, do not assume you can “catch up later” for this cycle—ASP has explicit, system-based deadlines.

If you qualify (nonprofit, indigenous/tribal org, eligible small business, etc.)

ASP can materially change your economics via the 75–85% evaluation fee reduction, plus non-financial support and (in some cases) bid credits for contention resolution.

NewgTLDProgram.com advises on ASP eligibility early in the planning cycle and flags hard ICANN cutoffs that cannot be recovered later. Venkatesh helps applicants assess whether ASP materially changes feasibility before committing to a full application path.

8) What is the Registry Service Provider (RSP) Evaluation Program, and is it mandatory?

ICANN’s published RSP program materials indicate that applicants are required to use evaluated RSPs, and ICANN will make a list of evaluated RSPs available before the application submission period opens.

If your chosen RSP is already evaluated

Your application burden can be reduced because many technical questions are covered by the RSP evaluation track (you still retain accountability as the applicant/registry operator).

If your chosen RSP is not evaluated yet

ICANN indicates it plans to reopen RSP evaluation concurrent with the gTLD application window (projected April 2026) for RSPs that need evaluation during that period.

If you plan to self-operate

You effectively become the RSP candidate and must be prepared for the same evaluation/testing expectations.

NewgTLDProgram.com supports applicants in selecting and contracting with evaluated RSPs or preparing for self-operation where appropriate. Venkatesh helps align the RSP choice with application complexity, risk tolerance, and long-term operating strategy.

9) When will ICANN publish the list of evaluated RSPs?

ICANN announced that the initial list timing was adjusted; the date to announce the initial list of successfully evaluated RSPs was adjusted to Friday, 30 January 2026.

NewgTLDProgram.com tracks ICANN’s RSP evaluation timelines and helps applicants plan dependencies around the published RSP list. Venkatesh ensures registry and application planning stays aligned with ICANN’s sequencing to avoid last-minute technical blockers.

10) Can I apply for an IDN gTLD (non-Latin script), and what scripts are supported?

IDNs are supported. As of December 2025, published guidance indicates the RZ-LGR supports 26 scripts. If your script is not yet in the RZ-LGR, an application could be delayed until rules exist and are integrated.

NewgTLDProgram.com helps applicants assess IDN feasibility against current RZ-LGR rules and variant policies before committing to a string. Venkatesh advises on script support, variant strategy, and timing risks specific to IDN gTLD applications.

11) How does string contention work if multiple parties apply for the same (or confusingly similar) gTLD?

If two or more applicants request the same or confusingly similar string, ICANN groups them into a contention set. Unresolved contention proceeds through ICANN-run outcomes.

If you are a brand applicant in contention

Some guidance suggests a brand applicant may be able to modify the string by appending goods/services terms from the trademark to exit contention (highly rules-specific; validate in the final AGB).

If you are a community applicant

Community evaluation dynamics and objection paths can change who remains in the contention set.

If your string is “close” but not identical

String similarity review and objection pathways can still create contention risk.

NewgTLDProgram.com helps applicants assess contention risk early, including string similarity exposure, brand positioning, and community dynamics. Venkatesh advises on practical paths to exit or manage contention within the 2026 ruleset.

12) What is a “replacement string”, and how can it reduce contention risk?

Applicants may submit a replacement string (a second-choice TLD name) along with their original string. The replacement string must be designated before the submission deadline. Applicants can switch only during the 14-day period following Reveal Day. If you switch, the replacement string permanently replaces the original string; you cannot switch back after the replacement period ends.

A replacement string cannot be used if it is identical to another applied-for string or another applicant’s replacement string (with two defined exceptions). ICANN also warns that singular/plural or close variants may still end up in contention, so replacement is a risk-management tool, not a guarantee.

NewgTLDProgram.com supports applicants in designing a defensible replacement string strategy that aligns with ICANN’s similarity and eligibility rules. Venkatesh helps evaluate whether a replacement string meaningfully reduces contention risk or introduces new exposure.

13) What system will we use to submit the new gTLD application?

ICANN has indicated applications will be submitted via the TLD Application Management System (TAMS) during the April 2026 application window.

NewgTLDProgram.com prepares applicants for submission through TAMS by structuring inputs, evidence, and internal approvals in advance. Venkatesh ensures application data is organized to meet ICANN’s system and process expectations.

14) What’s materially different in the 2026 round compared with the 2012 round?

Key changes include: more comprehensive application content; formalized Brand TLD processes; the RSP Evaluation Program as a distinct track; and replacement strings as a defined contention-avoidance mechanism with a post-Reveal Day switching period. NewgTLDProgram.com helps applicants translate the 2012-to-2026 changes into concrete application and governance decisions. Venkatesh focuses on avoiding legacy assumptions that no longer apply under the updated Applicant Guidebook.

15) What should we do now to prepare for the ICANN 2026 new gTLD application?

Treat this as an infrastructure and governance program, not a marketing project.

Practical preparation steps:

- Form a cross-functional steering team (legal, security, finance, business owner).

- Build a total cost of ownership business case.

- De-risk your string strategy early and consider a replacement string.

- Engage an RSP early (or prepare to self-operate and be evaluated).

- Track ICANN updates and (if eligible) pursue ASP on a parallel timeline.

How NewgTLDProgram.com typically supports applicants

Applicants often benefit from structured execution support: string strategy, application drafting, evidence packaging, RSP alignment, risk management for contention, and submission governance.

NewgTLDProgram.com works with applicants to convert early preparation into a structured execution roadmap ahead of April 2026. Venkatesh provides end-to-end guidance across string strategy, RSP alignment, risk management, and submission readiness.