New gTLD Program: definition

The New gTLD Program lets organizations apply to ICANN to create and run a new generic top-level domain, the ending after the last dot, as in shop.example.

What the New gTLD Program is

ICANN runs the program to expand the domain name A readable internet name made of labels separated by dots. Full definition of domain name system while keeping it secure and stable and promoting competition. It works in rounds, each with a fixed application window The fixed period in which ICANN accepts new gTLD applications in a round. Full definition of application window and its own rules, set out in its Applicant Guidebook The rulebook for applying for a new gTLD in an ICANN round. Full definition of Applicant Guidebook.

As of October 2026, the current 2026 Round guidebook is V3 of 7 October 2026, with what ICANN calls minor revisions to V2 of 24 April 2026. Its web edition still refers to V2, and the rules described here come from that edition; only the fees, the 30 June 2030 date and the passages on community priority and applicant An organization that has applied to ICANN to run a new gTLD. Full definition of applicant support were checked against V3.

Only legal entities, such as companies, organizations and public bodies, may apply. Individuals and sole proprietors cannot.

A short history: the 2012 round and the 2026 round

Before the program there were 22 gTLD generic top-level domain A top-level domain not tied to a country, run under ICANN contracts. Full definition of gTLD, such as .com, .net and .org. The ICANN Board ICANN's board of directors, which adopts policies and approves key decisions. Full definition of ICANN Board adopted the GNSO Generic Names Supporting Organization The ICANN body that develops policy for generic top-level domains. Full definition of GNSO’s policy for new gTLDs in June 2008 and launched the program in June 2011.

The 2012 round The first round of ICANN's New gTLD Program, which opened for applications in 2012. Full definition of 2012 round received 1,930 applications by 29 March 2012. As of 31 August 2026, ICANN counts 1,241 gTLDs delegated from that round, not adjusted for later removals.

The GNSO’s SubPro New gTLD Subsequent Procedures The GNSO policy process that set the rules for new gTLD rounds after 2012. Full definition of SubPro policy process reviewed the round (2015 to 2021), and the Board adopted the 2026 guidebook on 30 October 2025.

The 2026 Round window ran from 30 April to 12 August 2026. As of 22 September 2026, 1,616 of 1,663 applications were paid and go ahead; final numbers come on String Confirmation Day. New since 2012: an expanded Applicant Support Program ICANN help, such as reduced fees, for qualified new gTLD applicants. Full definition of Applicant Support Program, replacement string A backup string an applicant can switch to shortly after Reveal Day. Full definition of replacement string, a ban on private auction An auction between rival gTLD applicants outside ICANN, now banned. Full definition of private auction, a one-time technical evaluation of back-end provider A company that runs a TLD's technical systems for the registry operator. Full definition of back-end provider and IDN Internationalized Domain Name A domain name written in local scripts or with accented letters. Full definition of IDN in 27 scripts.

How to apply: steps, guidebook and evaluation

The 2026 Round steps, with the dates ICANN had set as of October 2026:

Apply online during the window, naming at least one back-end provider that has passed ICANN’s RSP Evaluation Program Registry Service Provider Evaluation Program ICANN's one-time technical check of gTLD back-end providers. Full definition of RSP Evaluation Program, and optionally a replacement string.
Pay the evaluation fee within seven days of the close, or the application is generally cancelled.
Reveal Day The day ICANN publishes who applied for which new gTLD strings. Full definition of Reveal Day, 7 October 2026: ICANN publishes who applied for which string.
Replacement Period, 8 to 21 October 2026: an applicant may switch to its replacement string, for good.
String Confirmation Day, 17 November 2026: final strings are published.
A Prioritization Draw sets the processing order, in the first half of 2027.
String Evaluation, expected to take 180 days. A panel The one or three independent experts who decide a domain dispute. Full definition of panel excludes or groups strings that look visually similar to existing TLD top-level domain The last part of a domain name, after the final dot. Full definition of TLD, blocked names or each other.
Competing applications: a CPE Community Priority Evaluation A scored review that lets a true community application win a contested string without an auction. Full definition of CPE if a community applicant elects one; if that does not settle it, an auction of last resort An ICANN-run auction that settles competing applications for the same gTLD. Full definition of auction of last resort, where the highest bidder wins and pays the second-highest bid.
Applicant Evaluation (background, financial and operational) and Application Evaluation.
contracting The stage when a successful applicant signs its Registry Agreement with ICANN. Full definition of contracting and delegation.

ICANN estimates about 15.5 to 16 months for a simple, uncontested application in the first batch, before onboarding and delegation. As of October 2026, processing is expected to last until about 30 June 2030.

What it costs, and help for applicants who need it

As of October 2026, the evaluation fee is 227,000 US dollars (USD) per application, covering one string and up to four variants. Extra fees apply in some cases, such as USD 52,936 for a CPE or up to USD 12,000 for a geographic names review.

An applicant that withdraws recovers 65%, 35% or 20% of the fee, depending on the stage. As of October 2026, the 65% window in this round ends on 27 November 2026.

The Applicant Support Program took applications from 19 November 2024 to 19 December 2025. As of October 2026, qualified applicants pay 75 to 85% less (USD 34,500 to 56,750, including a USD 2,500 deposit) and get a bid credit in auctions and reduced registry The central database and system of a top-level domain, or loosely the organization that runs it. Full definition of registry fees.

Objections, government warnings and geographic names

Comments, warnings and objections each have 104 days from String Confirmation Day. As of October 2026, this period runs from 17 November 2026 to 16 March 2027 in this round.

Anyone with an ICANN Account may comment, and relevant comments may count in evaluation.
GAC Governmental Advisory Committee ICANN's committee of governments that advises the Board on public policy. Full definition of GAC members and observers may issue an GAC Early Warning A notice from governments that a new gTLD application worries them. Full definition of GAC Early Warning, a notice that formal advice or an objection may follow.
GAC Consensus Advice Agreed government advice to the ICANN Board about specific new gTLD applications. Full definition of GAC Consensus Advice goes to the Board, which decides whether the application proceeds, changes or stops. The applicant has 21 days to respond.
Objections have four grounds: String Confusion and Legal Rights, handled by WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization The United Nations agency whose center handles many domain name disputes. Full definition of WIPO, and Limited Public Interest and Community, handled by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). Filing fees are not refunded, and decisions can be appealed.

Country and territory names will not be approved. Capitals, city names meant for use as such, listed sub-national places and world regions need support or non-objection from the governments concerned, which have no duty to give it.

closed generic A TLD based on a common word that only its own registry may use. Full definition of closed generic, common words run for the registry’s exclusive use, will not be approved unless and until ICANN adopts a way to judge the public interest. A .brand A top-level domain that a company runs for its own trademark. Full definition of .brand TLD is not a closed generic.

From approval to launch: contracting and delegation

An applicant invited to contracting has 90 days to sign a Registry Agreement The contract between ICANN and a gTLD registry operator. Full definition of Registry Agreement with ICANN. After onboarding, the TLD must be delegated, meaning added to the root zone The top of the DNS, listing every TLD and its name servers. Full definition of root zone, within one year of signing, with limited exceptions.

New gTLD Program