--- id: "new-gtld-program" kind: "glossary-term" title: "New gTLD Program" language: "en" category: "TLD types and programs" updated: "2026-10-10T10:28:55Z" canonical: "https://tldlog.com/glossary/new-gtld-program/" translations: es: "https://tldlog.com/es/glosario/programa-nuevos-gtld/" de: "https://tldlog.com/de/glossar/new-gtld-programm/" fr: "https://tldlog.com/fr/glossaire/programme-nouveaux-gtld/" it: "https://tldlog.com/it/glossario/programma-nuovi-gtld/" pt-BR: "https://tldlog.com/pt/glossario/programa-novos-gtlds/" ru: "https://tldlog.com/ru/glossariy/programma-novykh-gtld/" zh-Hans: "https://tldlog.com/zh/cihui/xin-tongyong-dingjiyu-jihua/" --- # New gTLD Program The ICANN program that lets organizations apply to create and run new gTLDs. The first round opened in 2012 and added more than 1,200 new TLDs. The second, the 2026 Round, took applications from 30 April to 12 August 2026. Evaluation, objections and contention resolution come before any delegation. 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 system while keeping it secure and stable and promoting competition. It works in rounds, each with a fixed application window and its own rules, set out in its 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 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 gTLDs, such as .com, .net and .org. The ICANN Board adopted the GNSO's policy for new gTLDs in June 2008 and launched the program in June 2011. The 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 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, replacement strings, a ban on private auctions, a one-time technical evaluation of back-end providers and IDNs in 27 scripts. ## How to apply: steps, guidebook and evaluation The 2026 Round steps, with the dates ICANN had set as of October 2026: 1. Apply online during the window, naming at least one back-end provider that has passed ICANN's RSP Evaluation Program, and optionally a replacement string. 2. Pay the evaluation fee within seven days of the close, or the application is generally cancelled. 3. Reveal Day, 7 October 2026: ICANN publishes who applied for which string. 4. Replacement Period, 8 to 21 October 2026: an applicant may switch to its replacement string, for good. 5. String Confirmation Day, 17 November 2026: final strings are published. 6. A Prioritization Draw sets the processing order, in the first half of 2027. 7. String Evaluation, expected to take 180 days. A panel excludes or groups strings that look visually similar to existing TLDs, blocked names or each other. 8. Competing applications: a CPE if a community applicant elects one; if that does not settle it, an ICANN auction, where the highest bidder wins and pays the second-highest bid. 9. Applicant Evaluation (background, financial and operational) and Application Evaluation. 10. 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 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 members and observers may issue an Early Warning, a notice that formal advice or an objection may follow. - 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, 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 generics, 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 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 with ICANN. After onboarding, the TLD must be delegated, meaning added to the root zone, within one year of signing, with limited exceptions. ## Sources - [2026 Round Applicant Guidebook, Module 1: The Applicant Journey](https://newgtldprogram-2026-agb.icann.org/en/5-module-1-the-applicant-journey.html) - [2026 Round Applicant Guidebook, Module 3: Application Submission](https://newgtldprogram-2026-agb.icann.org/en/7-module-3-application-submission.html) - [ICANN Announces Date for Reveal Day and Other 2026 Round Milestones](https://www.icann.org/en/announcements/details/icann-announces-date-for-reveal-day-and-other-2026-round-milestones-29-09-2026-en) ## related terms - [Applicant Guidebook](https://tldlog.com/glossary/applicant-guidebook/) - [string contention](https://tldlog.com/glossary/string-contention/) - [delegation (TLD)](https://tldlog.com/glossary/delegation/) - [gTLD](https://tldlog.com/glossary/gtld/) - [.brand](https://tldlog.com/glossary/brand-tld/)