Pre-Application Preparation

The most critical stage for any serious applicant. During this phase, organizations conduct a TLD String Risk Assessment, finalize their .brand domain strategy, secure financing, select a registry service provider, and prepare all required documentation for the New Domain Extension application. Experienced ICANN New gTLD consultants strongly recommend beginning preparations 6–12 months before the New gTLD application process opens.

Key Actions

• Conduct a comprehensive TLD String Risk Assessment to ensure compliance and avoid conflicts

• Prepare detailed financial projections and estimate the Cost to Apply for a TLD as part of your New gTLD application services planning

• Select a reliable registry back-end provider and technical infrastructure partners to support your Corporate Top Level Domain launch

• Develop a compelling Brand TLD Application narrative and business case aligned with your .brand domain strategy

• Engage legal experts to address trademark protection and intellectual property considerations for your New Domain Extension application

• Identify alternative Top Level Domain strings in advance to mitigate potential contention during the New gTLD application process

Application Submission Window

The 104-day window to submit your New Domain Extension application under the ICANN New gTLD Program 2026. Applications are not processed on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning every submission within the window is evaluated equally. This is the stage to finalize documentation and apply for New gTLD through ICANN’s online portal, with our New gTLD application services providing complete submission support.

Key Actions

• Submit your New Domain Extension application through ICANN’s GDS portal as part of the New gTLD application process

• Pay the $227,000 application fee, the standard Cost to Apply for a TLD in the ICANN New gTLD Program 2026

• Upload all required technical, financial, and operational documentation to support a complete New gTLD application services submission

• Verify applicant eligibility and legal entity information as part of the New gTLD application process

• Confirm the selected Top Level Domain string along with any pre-approved replacement strings for your New Domain Extension application

• Complete a final review with your ICANN gTLD Application Support team to ensure the submission is accurate and fully compliant

Reveal Day & String Confirmation

Reveal Day is when ICANN publicly discloses all applied-for Top Level Domain strings in the ICANN New gTLD Program 2026, allowing applicants to see who else has submitted a New Domain Extension application for the same or similar strings. Applicants then have 14 days to switch to a pre-selected replacement string if unexpected contention arises. Once the swap window closes, String Confirmation Day permanently locks in the chosen string. Our Top Level Domain consulting team provides real-time contention analysis to support clients during this critical stage of the New gTLD application process.

Key Actions

• Monitor Name Reveal Day announcements to identify potential contention sets involving your Top Level Domain string

• Analyze competing New Domain Extension applications and evaluate their strengths within the New gTLD application process

• Decide whether to switch to a pre-selected replacement string within the 14-day window to protect your New gTLD application strategy

• Prepare for potential objection scenarios related to your New Domain Extension application, including trademark, community, or public interest challenges.

• Confirm and lock in your final Top Level Domain string on String Confirmation Day, securing your position in the New gTLD application process.

Objection & GAC Review Period

The 104-day objection period allows third parties to challenge a New Domain Extension application during the New gTLD application process. Trademark owners may submit Legal Rights Objections, community groups can raise Community Objections, and governments may issue GAC Early Warnings or consensus advisories. Conducting a thorough TLD String Risk Assessment beforehand significantly reduces the risk of unexpected challenges. Our Brand Registry consulting team helps applicants prepare strong responses and protect their Brand TLD application.

Key Actions

• Monitor for incoming objections related to your New Domain Extension application during the New gTLD application process

• Prepare detailed responses to Legal Rights Objections (LRO) to protect your proposed Top Level Domain

• Address any GAC Early Warnings or government advisories that may impact your Brand TLD application or evaluation outcome

• Defend against Community Objections related to your New Domain Extension application if they arise during the New gTLD application process

• File formal objections against competing Top Level Domain applications when necessary to protect your Brand TLD application

• Engage approved dispute resolution providers to manage and resolve conflicts affecting your New gTLD application

Prioritization & Contention Resolution

The Prioritization Draw determines the processing order for each New Domain Extension application in the ICANN New gTLD Program 2026. Results from the String Similarity Review then reveal formal contention sets, where multiple applicants seek identical or confusingly similar Top Level Domain strings. Applicants in contention must resolve conflicts through Community Priority Evaluation, private negotiation, or ICANN auction. Understanding how to apply for a Top Level Domain also means preparing for contention resolution, where many New gTLD applications ultimately succeed or fail.

Key Actions

• Participate in the Prioritization Draw to determine the evaluation order of your New Domain Extension application

• Review String Similarity Review results to identify potential contention affecting your proposed Top Level Domain

• Engage in contention set negotiations with competing applicants to resolve conflicts within the New gTLD application process

• Evaluate Community Priority Evaluation (CPE) pathways where applicable to strengthen your New Domain Extension application within the New gTLD application process

• Prepare for potential auction scenarios and allocate budget accordingly as part of the Cost to Apply for a TLD planning strategy

• Continue cooperating with ICANN during technical and financial evaluations to ensure your proposed Top Level Domain meets all program requirements

Delegation & Registry Launch

Successful applicants move into pre-delegation testing, sign the Registry Agreement with ICANN, and ultimately see their Top Level Domain delegated to the DNS root zone as part of the New gTLD application process. Following delegation, registries must manage Sunrise and Landrush periods, launch General Availability, and oversee ongoing registry operations. Create Your Own Domain Extension is only the beginning—operating a TLD is a long-term responsibility. Our New gTLD consulting provides end-to-end guidance through launch and ongoing registry management.

Key Actions

• Complete Pre-Delegation Testing (PDT) to verify the technical readiness of your Top Level Domain

• Negotiate and sign the official ICANN Registry Agreement as part of the New gTLD application process

• Finalize TLD delegation to the DNS root zone, officially launching your New Domain Extension

• Conduct the Sunrise period to allow trademark holders to secure domains within your Top Level Domain

• Execute Landrush and General Availability to launch your New Domain Extension to the broader market

• Begin ongoing registry operations and ICANN compliance as part of long-term Top Level Domain management