2026 gTLD Application Timeline
Key dates and milestones for the ICANN New gTLD Program 2026 application round.
Application Window 2026
April 30 - August 12, 2026
The 2026 application window opens on April 30, 2026 and closes on August 12, 2026 at 23:59 UTC. Applications must be submitted and fees paid within this window.
Payment Deadline: August 19, 2026 (7 days after window closes)
Planning Your Timeline
Successful applications require extensive preparation. Organizations should begin preparation at least 12 months before the application window opens. This lead time allows for thorough string research, team assembly, documentation preparation, and application development.
The journey from initial concept to a live TLD typically spans 18-24 months. Understanding the full timeline helps with resource planning, budgeting, and setting realistic expectations for stakeholders.
Complete Application Timeline
Pre-Application Phase
Now - April 2026
Comprehensive preparation is essential for success. During this phase, organizations should:
- Define strategic objectives for the TLD
- Conduct string research and selection
- Assemble expert team (consultants, legal, technical)
- Gather corporate documentation
- Develop technical infrastructure or select RSP
- Prepare financial documentation and projections
- Begin application drafting
Application Window
April 30 - August 12, 2026
The official application period when submissions are accepted:
- April 30, 2026: Application window opens
- TAMS Access: Register and access the TLD Application Management System
- Application Completion: Fill out 200+ questions across all modules
- August 12, 2026: Application window closes at 23:59 UTC
- August 19, 2026: Payment deadline (7 days after window closes)
Note: Late submissions will not be accepted. Plan to submit at least one week before the deadline.
Reveal Day
October 2026 (~9 weeks after window closes)
ICANN publishes all applications submitted during the window:
- All applied-for strings are made public
- Contention sets are identified
- Applicants learn of competing applications
- Formal objection period begins
String Confirmation Day
14 days after Reveal Day (October 2026)
Applicants must confirm their applied-for string:
- Final opportunity to confirm or withdraw string
- 65% refund available for withdrawals before confirmation
- Commitment to proceed with evaluation
Initial Evaluation
August 2026 - January 2027 (~5 months)
ICANN and contracted evaluation panels review applications:
- String Reviews: DNS stability, confusability, geographic name checks
- Applicant Reviews: Technical, financial, operational capability assessment
- Background Screening: Due diligence on applicants and key personnel
- Policy Evaluation: Assessment of registration policies
Results indicate whether application passes or requires Extended Evaluation.
Objection Period
January - March 2027
Period for formal objections to applications:
- String Confusion Objections: From existing TLD operators
- Legal Rights Objections: From trademark holders
- Community Objections: From affected communities
- Limited Public Interest Objections: From governments (GAC)
Applicants may need to participate in dispute resolution proceedings.
Extended Evaluation (if needed)
February - May 2027 (~4 months)
For applications not passing Initial Evaluation:
- Applicants may request Extended Evaluation ($75,000 fee)
- Additional time to address evaluator concerns
- Supplementary documentation and clarification
- Second review by evaluation panels
Not all applications require Extended Evaluation — strong initial applications may proceed directly.
Contention Resolution
March - June 2027
Resolving cases where multiple applications exist for the same string:
- Community Priority Evaluation: For eligible community TLDs ($50,000-$80,000)
- Negotiation: Private settlement between applicants
- ICANN Auction: Last-resort contention resolution (private auctions not allowed)
Contracting
May - August 2027 (~3 months)
Negotiation and execution of Registry Agreement:
- ICANN provides standard Registry Agreement
- Negotiation of specific provisions
- Final agreement execution
- Payment of initial registry fees
Applicants become official ICANN registry operators upon contract execution.
Pre-Delegation Testing
July - September 2027 (~2 months)
Technical verification before delegation:
- Registry system testing (RST)
- EPP conformance testing
- DNS resolution testing
- Whois service verification
- DNSSEC implementation validation
- Data escrow verification
All tests must pass before delegation can proceed.
Delegation
September - October 2027
TLD added to the root zone:
- ICANN coordinates with IANA
- Delegation request submitted
- Root zone updated
- TLD becomes globally resolvable
Congratulations — your TLD is now live!
Launch Phases
October 2027 - January 2028
Progressive opening of TLD for registrations (if applicable):
- Sunrise Period: Minimum 30 days for trademark holders
- Trademark Claims Period: Minimum 90 days with TMCH notices
- Early Access Period: Optional premium early registration
- General Availability: Open to all (policy permitting)
Key Milestones at a Glance
| Milestone | Target Date | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Application Window Opens | April 30, 2026 | - |
| Application Window Closes | August 12, 2026 | 105 days |
| Payment Deadline | August 19, 2026 | 7 days after close |
| Reveal Day | October 2026 | ~9 weeks |
| String Confirmation Day | October 2026 | 14 days after Reveal |
| Initial Evaluation Results | January 2027 | ~5 months |
| Objection Period Ends | March 2027 | ~2 months |
| Contention Resolution Complete | June 2027 | ~3 months |
| Registry Agreement Signed | August 2027 | ~3 months |
| TLD Delegation | October 2027 | ~18 months total |
Total Timeline
From application submission to delegation: approximately 18 months for straightforward applications without Extended Evaluation or contention.
Applications requiring Extended Evaluation or facing contention may take 24-30 months to reach delegation.
Refund Schedule
If you need to withdraw your application, the following refund schedule applies based on where your application is in the evaluation process:
| Refund Window | Timing | Refund % | Refund Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Window 1 | From receipt of your gTLD evaluation fee through 10 days after String Confirmation Day | 65% | $147,550 |
| Window 2 | From 11 days after String Confirmation Day until the start of Application and Applicant Evaluation | 35% | $79,450 |
| Window 3 | From start of Application and Applicant Evaluation up to Registry Agreement signing | 20% | $45,400 |
| No Refund | After Registry Agreement signing | 0% | $0 |
Additional Refunds: Conditional evaluation fees that have been paid but not started may also be refunded if the application status is "Withdrawn," "Pending Termination," or "Terminated." As part of your withdrawal request, you can indicate whether you'd like to receive a refund.
Pre-Application Milestones
Before the application window opens, organizations should achieve these milestones:
12 Months Before Window (April 2025)
- Strategic decision to pursue TLD application
- Initial budget allocation
- Executive sponsor identification
- Preliminary string research
9 Months Before Window (July 2025)
- Engage application consultant
- Assemble project team
- Detailed string selection and validation
- Trademark clearance searches
6 Months Before Window (October 2025)
- Select Registry Services Provider (if applicable)
- Begin financial documentation preparation
- Legal counsel engagement
- Technical architecture planning
3 Months Before Window (January 2026)
- Application drafting begins
- Corporate documentation finalized
- Financial projections completed
- RSP contracts executed
1 Month Before Window (March 2026)
- Application review and refinement
- Final internal approvals
- Application fee funds secured
- TAMS registration completed
Important Dates Summary
Application Window Opens
April 30, 2026
First day to submit applications via TAMS
Application Window Closes
August 12, 2026
Final deadline for submissions at 23:59 UTC
Payment Deadline
August 19, 2026
7 days after window closes
Reveal Day
October 2026
~9 weeks after window closes
String Confirmation
October 2026
14 days after Reveal Day
Expected Delegation
Late 2027 / Early 2028
12-18 months after Reveal Day
Plan Your Application Timeline
The 2026 application window is approaching. Start your preparation now to ensure a successful application.