Application Timeline
2026 Round New gTLD Application Submission and Early Warning Timeline
2026 Round New gTLD Application Submission and Early Warning Timeline
1
Now - Close of the Application Window
Submission of Strings To Early Warning Report
Participants submit the strings that they are interested in applying for
Cost: $1,000 per string
2
April 2026
Application Window Opens
ICANN opens the application window for new gTLD applications
3
Before Close of the Application Window
String Interest Report
Participants receive notice of potential contention and can contact others anonymously
4
August 2026
Application Window Closes
Deadline for submitting new gTLD applications to ICANN
5
After the Close of the Application Window
Submission of Strings To Early Warning Report
Participants submit the strings that they actually applied for
Cost: $3,000 per string
($2,000 per strings submitted in the prior stage)
6
6 Weeks Before Reveal Day
Contention Avoidance Report
Final opportunity to identify contention and take steps to avoid it
6 Weeks
6 Weeks
7
TBD 2026
Reveal Day
ICANN reveals all applications. Private resolution prohibited after this point
8
Reveal Day Until Execution of the Registry Agreement for Each String in Contention
Prohibition on Private Resolution
Applicants may not engage in any private resolution of contention sets
Early Warning String Submission
ICANN Process
Early Warning Reports
Critical Deadline