Key Dates and Deadlines for the 2026 gTLD Application Window

The 2026 round of the new gTLD (generic Top-Level Domain) program marks a significant evolution in the domain name landscape, representing the first opportunity in over a decade for organizations to apply for new top-level domains. Following the original expansion in 2012, this upcoming round reflects years of policy refinement, stakeholder input, and operational planning coordinated by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). As anticipation builds across the global internet community, understanding the timeline is crucial for any party considering participation in this landmark initiative.

The formal application window for new gTLDs is scheduled to open in Q2 of 2026, with ICANN having publicly stated that the anticipated start date is April 1, 2026. This date is not arbitrary but has been chosen to align with ICANN’s operational calendar and to provide ample preparation time following the publication of the Applicant Guidebook (AGB). The finalized AGB, which outlines all policy, technical, and financial requirements for applicants, is expected to be released no later than November 2025. The release of this document will follow a period of public comment on the draft guidebook, anticipated to occur from August through October 2025. The final guidebook’s availability at least four months in advance of the application window is a critical provision to allow organizations to fine-tune their proposals and ensure full compliance with ICANN’s requirements.

The application submission period is expected to last for approximately three months, closing on June 30, 2026. During this timeframe, prospective applicants will be able to submit their proposals through ICANN’s dedicated online application system. It is essential that all application materials, supporting documentation, and associated fees be submitted by the close of this window, as late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstances. Applications received during this period will be subject to an initial administrative review to confirm completeness and proper fee payment, with applicants being notified of any deficiencies shortly thereafter.

Following the close of the application window, ICANN will begin the public comment and objection filing periods. Starting in July 2026, all applications will be published for transparency and community input. This stage allows for a sixty-day public comment period in which individuals, organizations, and governments can review and respond to proposed strings. Concurrently, formal objection mechanisms will be activated, enabling parties to submit formal objections based on criteria such as legal rights infringement, string confusion, community opposition, or public interest concerns. The deadline for filing formal objections is expected to fall in early November 2026.

In parallel with the public comment process, ICANN’s evaluation panels will commence the Initial Evaluation process in August 2026. This phase involves technical, operational, financial, and string similarity assessments and is projected to conclude by the end of Q1 2027. Applicants who successfully pass Initial Evaluation will then proceed to the contracting phase, which includes negotiating and signing a Registry Agreement with ICANN. Applicants that do not meet one or more criteria in the Initial Evaluation may enter Extended Evaluation if eligible, which could extend the timeline by several additional months.

For applicants involved in contention sets—cases where multiple applicants have applied for the same or similar strings—ICANN will initiate a string contention resolution process beginning mid-2027. Resolution methods may include community priority evaluation, private settlement, or auction, with ICANN-facilitated auctions likely occurring in late 2027 for unresolved sets.

Finally, delegation into the root zone for approved strings is expected to begin in early 2028, following the successful completion of pre-delegation testing and execution of the Registry Agreement. This process includes technical testing of the registry infrastructure to ensure operational stability and security prior to live DNS deployment.

The 2026 gTLD application window represents a complex but structured pathway for introducing new identifiers to the global domain name system. Applicants must be keenly aware of each phase’s timelines and requirements to navigate the process successfully. Given the multi-year commitment and strategic importance of securing a new gTLD, careful preparation, adherence to deadlines, and engagement with ICANN processes will be essential for all aspiring registry operators.

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The 2026 round of the new gTLD (generic Top-Level Domain) program marks a significant evolution in the domain name landscape, representing the first opportunity in over a decade for organizations to apply for new top-level domains. Following the original expansion in 2012, this upcoming round reflects years of policy refinement, stakeholder input, and operational planning…