ICANN 2026 Timeline: Key Dates and Milestones

## Why the Timeline Matters In the 2012 new gTLD round, many applicants were caught off guard by how long the process took. ICANN opened the application window in January 2012 and closed it in May 2012. The first delegations did not occur until late 2013, and some contested or complex applications were not resolved until 2016 or later — four years after submission. The 2026 round — based on the reformed SubPro policy framework — is designed to be more predictable. ICANN has published indicative timelines and committed to specific target durations for each evaluation stage. Understanding this timeline is critical for anyone considering an application, because preparation must begin well in advance of the application window. Use the TLD Comparison Tool to research existing TLDs delegated in the 2012 round and understand how long their journey from application to live delegation took. ## Phase 0: Policy and Systems Preparation (2022–2025) Before the application window opens, ICANN spends years on behind-the-scenes work: - **SubPro policy adoption** (2022): ICANN Board formally adopted the New gTLD Subsequent Procedures policy recommendations. - **Implementation review** (2022–2024): ICANN staff translated policy recommendations into operational procedures, revised evaluation criteria, and updated legal frameworks. - **TLD Application System (TAS) development** (2023–2025): ICANN rebuilt the application submission portal from scratch, incorporating lessons from the 2012 system's failures. - **Applicant support programme launch** (2024): ICANN began outreach to prospective applicants in developing economies and underserved communities. - **Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) updates** (2024–2025): Updates to the agreements that govern how registrars interact with new registries. ## Phase 1: Pre-Application Preparation (2025–2026) ### Applicant Guidebook Publication ICANN publishes the Applicant Guidebook — the definitive reference document covering all evaluation criteria, scoring systems, required materials, and procedures. The Applicant Guidebook went through multiple public comment rounds before finalisation. **Key milestone**: Final Applicant Guidebook publication. All prospective applicants must read this document in full before submitting. ### Informational Sessions ICANN hosts webinars, in-person sessions at ICANN meetings, and regional applicant support workshops. These sessions are free and critical for first-time applicants. ### Opening of Application System for Practice ICANN typically opens the TAS for "dry run" testing before the live application window, allowing prospective applicants to create accounts, practise filling forms, and verify payment systems. ## Phase 2: Application Window (Expected 2026) The application window — the period during which ICANN officially accepts new gTLD applications — is expected to be approximately **90 days**. This is a hard deadline; applications submitted after closing are not evaluated. ### Key Activities During the Window - Submit completed application via TAS - Pay the full evaluation fee (expected $185,000–$225,000) - Submit all required supporting documentation - Confirm back-end Registry Operator arrangements **Critical note**: Application preparation takes 6–18 months. Do not wait until the window opens to start. ## Phase 3: Administrative and String Evaluation (Months 1–6 Post-Close) Immediately after the application window closes, ICANN begins: - **Administrative completeness review**: Checking every application for missing fields, unsigned declarations, unpaid fees. - **Cure period**: Applicants with minor deficiencies get a short window to correct them. - **String similarity evaluation**: Expert panels assess whether applied-for strings are confusingly similar to existing TLDs or reserved strings. - **Publication of applied-for strings**: ICANN publicly discloses all strings for which applications were received. This triggers community comment and starts the clock on formal objection filing windows. **Expected duration**: 3–6 months post window close. ## Phase 4: Extended Evaluation (Months 6–18) Applications that survive initial review enter Extended Evaluation: - **Financial evaluation**: Independent evaluators assess applicant financial capacity. - **Technical evaluation**: Experts review back-end registry technical plans, security measures, DNSSEC implementation, and abuse prevention. - **Community evaluation** (for community-designated applications): Panels assess whether the applicant represents an established, delineated community. - **Geographic name panel**: For strings that are geographic names or country names, a specialised panel reviews. **Expected duration**: 6–12 months. ## Phase 5: Objection Period and Resolution (Months 12–24) During and after Extended Evaluation, formal objections can be filed. The objection period runs concurrently with evaluation where possible. - **Filing window**: Typically 7 months from ICANN's publication of application details. - **Resolution timeline**: Each objection goes to an independent dispute resolution provider (WIPO or ICC). Resolution takes 3–6 months per objection. - **GAC Early Warning**: Governments can issue early warnings at any point; GAC Advice (formal government opposition) is issued before the end of evaluation. **Expected duration**: Variable; can add 6–18 months for contested applications. ## Phase 6: String Contention Resolution (Months 18–30+) If multiple applications survive evaluation for the same string, string contention resolution begins: - **Private resolution period**: 30–60 days for applicants to negotiate among themselves. - **Community priority evaluation**: If applicable, ICANN evaluates whether one applicant qualifies for community priority designation. - **Last-resort auction**: Sealed-bid auction conducted by ICANN-designated auction provider. For uncontested strings, this phase is skipped, and timelines are significantly shorter. **Expected duration**: 3–12 months for contested strings. ## Phase 7: Registry Agreement Negotiation and Signing (Months 24–30) Applicants who clear evaluation and contention receive an offer from ICANN to negotiate and sign a Registry Agreement. This is a detailed legal contract. Most applicants sign a relatively standard form agreement, but customisations for community TLDs or unusual registry service structures can extend negotiations. **Expected duration**: 1–3 months. ## Phase 8: Pre-Delegation Testing and Delegation (Months 28–36+) Before delegation, IANA conducts pre-delegation testing: - DNS infrastructure verification - DNSSEC signing chain verification - RDAP and WHOIS service testing - Registry-Registrar Protocol (EPP) testing Once testing passes, IANA delegates the TLD (Top-Level Domain) into the DNS Root Zone. The new extension becomes globally resolvable within 24–48 hours. **Expected duration**: 1–3 months post-agreement signing. ## Summary Timeline | Phase | Expected Duration | |-------|------------------| | Application window open | 90 days | | Administrative + string review | 3–6 months | | Extended evaluation | 6–12 months | | Objection period + resolution | 3–18 months (variable) | | String contention (if applicable) | 3–12 months | | Registry Agreement | 1–3 months | | Pre-delegation testing + delegation | 1–3 months | | **Total (uncontested, smooth)** | **~18–24 months** | | **Total (contested, complex)** | **~36–48 months** | ## Planning Backwards from Delegation If you want your New gTLD delegated by late 2028: - **Application window (est. 2026)**: Submit within the 90-day window. - **Preparation complete**: 6–12 months before window opens — meaning preparation should begin in **2025 at the latest**. - **Back-end operator selected**: At least 12 months before window opens. - **Legal and financial counsel engaged**: At least 12 months before window opens. See How to Apply for a New gTLD in 2026 for detailed preparation steps, and Who Can Apply for a New TLD? Eligibility Requirements for who qualifies to apply. ## Timeline Risk Factors Even with ICANN's improved procedures, certain factors can extend the timeline beyond target durations: ### High Application Volume If ICANN receives 2,000+ applications — more than the 2012 round — evaluation resources will be stretched. ICANN has pre-committed to hiring sufficient evaluation panel capacity, but delays remain possible. ### Complex String Contention Sets Strings with ten or more competing applications require extended contention resolution timeframes. Private negotiation among many parties is logistically complex. If every party in a large contention set holds out for last-resort auction, the process adds six to twelve months beyond target durations. ### GAC Advice and Legal Challenges Applications that receive formal GAC Advice require ICANN Board deliberation, which does not occur on a fixed schedule — it happens at Board meetings (three per year). An application that receives GAC Advice one week after a Board meeting must wait until the next meeting for Board consideration. Formal legal challenges (such as the Independent Review Process used in the .amazon dispute) can add years. ### Applicant-Caused Delays Delays in responding to evaluator requests for additional information, delays in negotiating the Registry Agreement, or delays in completing pre-delegation testing are within the applicant's control — and failing to respond promptly is one of the most avoidable causes of timeline extension. ## How to Use the Timeline for Strategic Planning The timeline structure creates several strategic decision points: **Before the application window**: This is your preparation window. Finalise your back-end Registry Operator contract, complete audited financials, draft application responses, and engage legal counsel for objection risk assessment. **During the application window**: Submit early. There is no benefit to waiting until the deadline, and submitting early gives you more time to correct any administrative deficiencies during the cure period. **After the window closes**: Monitor ICANN's publications closely. The list of all applied-for strings is published within weeks of window close. If you see competitors in your contention set, begin outreach immediately — early negotiation produces better outcomes. **During extended evaluation**: Be responsive. Evaluator requests for supplemental information typically have 30-day response windows. Missing these deadlines can result in rejection on a purely procedural basis. **During the objection period**: Monitor for filings against your application. ICANN publishes all objections when filed. Engage legal counsel immediately upon receiving notice of an objection — you have a limited time to file your response. Understanding the timeline is not merely academic. It structures every major investment, hiring, and strategic decision your organisation will make during the multi-year journey from application to delegation. Treat it as a project management framework, not just a set of dates.