This guide is for brand owners, trademark counsel, and applicants navigating the 2026 new gTLD round. The round is the first expansion of the domain name system since 2012. It has produced 1,616 applications, a four-month objections window, and a new set of dispute procedures. If you are assessing whether to object, defend, or prepare for post-delegation enforcement, start here.
Quick answer: what the 2026 round means for brand owners
The 2026 new gTLD round opened on 30 April 2026 and closed on 12 August 2026. ICANN revealed 1,616 applications on 7 October 2026. String Confirmation Day was 17 November 2026, which started a four-month Community Input and Objections period running to 16 March 2027. There are four objection grounds: String Confusion and Legal Rights, administered by WIPO; and Limited Public Interest and Community, administered by the International Chamber of Commerce. A Legal Rights Objection filing fee is USD 2,000 for a single-person panel, with advance costs payable after the Quick Look Review. The Trademark Clearinghouse requirements have been revised for the 2026 Base Registry Agreement, and brand owners must ensure their records are current before Sunrise. After delegation, the UDRP, URS, and TM-PDDRP apply.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Application window | 30 April – 12 August 2026 |
| Applications received | 1,616 |
| Evaluation fee | USD 227,000 per application |
| Reveal Day | 7 October 2026 |
| Replacement Period | 8–21 October 2026 |
| String Confirmation Day | 17 November 2026 |
| Objections window | 17 November 2026 – 16 March 2027 |
| Objection grounds | String Confusion; Legal Rights; Limited Public Interest; Community |
| LRO/SCO provider | WIPO |
| LRO filing fee (single panel) | USD 2,000 |
| String Evaluation | 180 days from 17 November 2026 |
| Delegation estimate | ~15.5 months after String Confirmation Day |
| TMCH | Revised requirements for the 2026 Base RA |
The round in numbers
1,616 applications
ICANN revealed 1,616 applications on 7 October 2026, following weeks of preparation and administrative checks. The figure is higher than the 2012 round, which resulted in more than 1,200 extensions. ICANN’s projected schedule assumed 2,000 applications, and the actual figure will shape the evaluation and contention-set timetable.
The USD 227,000 evaluation fee
The gTLD evaluation fee is USD 227,000 per application, up from USD 185,000 in the first round, with an additional USD 500 evaluation fee for a .BRAND TLD. The fee is a barrier to entry, and it is one reason the applicant pool is smaller than the raw number of strings might suggest.
A 65% refund — USD 147,550 — is available to applicants who withdraw before 27 November 2026 (the end of the first refund window). A 35% refund is available during the String Evaluation period.
1,200+ extensions in 2012; more expected
The 2012 round produced more than 1,200 extensions. ICANN expects to issue more this time. The expansion matters for brand owners because every new extension is a new namespace in which a lookalike can be registered, and a new set of Rights Protection Mechanisms applies.
The timeline from application to delegation
Application window: 30 April–12 August 2026
The TLD Application Management System (TAMS) opened on 30 April 2026 and closed on 12 August 2026, a 104-day window. The order of submission did not matter; a filing on 11 August was equivalent to one on 2 May.
Reveal Day: 7 October 2026
ICANN revealed the full list of applications on 7 October 2026. Reveal Day moved the applications from confidential to public, starting the clock on objections and contention analysis.
Replacement Period: 8–21 October 2026
Applicants with primary strings in contention could choose to switch to an eligible replacement string during this 14-day period.
String Confirmation Day: 17 November 2026
On String Confirmation Day, ICANN published the final list of applied-for strings and updated exact-match contention sets. The date is the anchor for the objections window and the String Evaluation.
Community Input and Objections: 17 November 2026–16 March 2027
The four-month objections window opened on 17 November 2026 and runs to 16 March 2027. During this period, public comments, singular/plural notifications, GAC Early Warnings, and formal objections can be filed. The window excludes a closure period from 19 December 2026 to 4 January 2027.
String Evaluation: 180 days
String Evaluation runs for 180 days starting 17 November 2026. Strings undergo similarity, name collision, safeguard, geographic name, and singular/plural reviews.
Prioritization Draw: first half 2027
The Prioritization Draw in the first half of 2027 sets the order for application evaluation and contention set resolution.
Delegation: ~15.5 months after String Confirmation Day
Delegation is estimated to commence 15.5 months after String Confirmation Day, according to the Applicant Guidebook. On that schedule, the first delegations would begin around early 2028, with further delegations following.
The objections window closes 16 March 2027. We assess standing and the strength of the objection before you file. Book an objection assessment →
Pre-delegation objections: the four grounds
An objection may be filed only on one of four grounds established for the 2026 round:
- String Confusion
- Legal Rights
- Limited Public Interest
- Community
String Confusion
A String Confusion Objection may be filed where a party believes that an applied-for string is confusingly similar visually, aurally, or in meaning to a relevant existing or applied-for string. The objection complements the String Similarity Evaluation, which is limited to visual similarity.
Legal Rights
A Legal Rights Objection may be filed by a brand owner where it believes that an applied-for gTLD string infringes its existing legal (trademark) rights. The panel considers the applicant’s potential use of the string under the Legal Rights criteria.
Limited Public Interest
Limited Public Interest Objections are administered by the International Chamber of Commerce. They address applications that are contrary to generally accepted legal norms of morality and public order.
Community
Community Objections are also administered by the ICC. They address applications that create a substantial opposition from a significant portion of the community that the string is intended to serve.
Who administers which
| Ground | Provider |
|---|---|
| String Confusion | WIPO |
| Legal Rights | WIPO |
| Limited Public Interest | ICC |
| Community | ICC |
WIPO was appointed as the sole provider for Legal Rights Objections and String Confusion Objections following a competitive selection process.
A Legal Rights Objection is not a UDRP. The test is different, and the remedy is a panel determination on the application, not a domain transfer. We map the test before you file. Talk to counsel →
Legal Rights Objections in detail
Standing
A Legal Rights Objection may be filed by:
- A (trademark) rights holder — the filing must identify and document the existing legal rights alleged to be infringed, such as rights in a registered or unregistered trademark.
- An intergovernmental organization that meets the criteria for registration of a .INT domain name.
- Specialized agencies of the United Nations and organizations having observer status at the UN General Assembly.
The legal test
The panel considers the applicant’s potential use of the string under the Legal Rights criteria. The objection is not a trademark infringement action; it is an assessment of whether the applied-for gTLD string infringes the objector’s existing legal rights. The criteria are set out in Module 4, section 4.5.10.2 of the Applicant Guidebook.
Filing, fees, and the Quick Look Review
An objection must be filed electronically, in English, with WIPO, using the model objection document. The filing fee is USD 2,000 for a single-person panel. If it is not paid within the period allowed, the objection is dismissed.
The Quick Look Review is the panel’s first substantive task, generally completed within 30 days of appointment. It is designed to eliminate objections that are manifestly unfounded or an abuse of the right to object. The panel considers whether the objection invokes an accepted ground, whether the objector has standing, whether there is sufficient supporting evidence, and whether the objection is intelligible and not far-fetched.
If the objection passes the Quick Look Review, WIPO estimates the total costs and requests both parties to pay the full advance. Each party generally has 20 days to pay. If the objector does not pay, the objection is dismissed. If the respondent does not pay, the objection is deemed sustained. The prevailing party receives a refund of its advance; filing fees are not refunded.
The 5,000-word limit
The substantive portion of an objection or response is limited to 5,000 words, excluding attachments. Attachments may not be used to add argument or circumvent the word limit. All submissions and proceedings are in English; supporting evidence may be in its original language if accompanied by a certified English translation.
Outcomes and appeals
The panel’s determination is a Panel Determination. An appeal is available on limited grounds. The determination is published, unless the panel decides otherwise.
The LRO filing fee is USD 2,000, but the advance costs after Quick Look Review are the larger commitment. We model the total before you file. Get an objection cost assessment →
String Confusion Objections in detail
Standing
Standing for a String Confusion Objection may be available to:
- An existing gTLD operator.
- An existing ccTLD operator or a Significantly Interested Party in the relevant country or territory.
- An applicant in the 2026 round.
An applicant does not have standing to object to another application with which it is already in a contention set.
Visual, aural, and meaning similarity
The objection may be filed where the applied-for string is confusingly similar visually, aurally, or in meaning to a relevant existing or applied-for string. The objection complements the String Similarity Evaluation, which is limited to visual similarity.
The String Similarity Evaluation
The String Similarity Evaluation is part of the String Evaluation process. It is a visual similarity review. A String Confusion Objection can raise aural and meaning similarity that the automated evaluation does not capture.
Filing and fees
A String Confusion Objection is filed with WIPO using the SCO model document. The fee structure mirrors the Legal Rights Objection: a filing fee for a single-person panel, and advance costs after the Quick Look Review.
Objection strategy and cost
Should you object?
An objection is expensive, risky, and time-limited. It is justified where:
- The applied-for string is confusingly similar to your mark or your existing TLD.
- You have documented legal rights that the string would infringe.
- The applicant’s potential use of the string is likely to cause consumer confusion.
- You are prepared to bear the costs if the objection fails.
It is not justified where:
- The string is generic or descriptive and your mark is weak.
- You have no standing.
- The objection is manifestly unfounded — the Quick Look Review will dismiss it, and you will lose the filing fee.
- A public comment or GAC Early Warning would achieve the same result at lower cost.
The cost of an objection
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing fee (single-person panel) | USD 2,000 |
| Advance costs after Quick Look Review | Set by WIPO; paid by both parties |
| Legal fees | Additional |
| Appeal | Additional |
The filing fee is not refunded. The advance costs are refunded to the prevailing party. A failed objection therefore costs the filing fee plus the objector’s own legal fees, and potentially the respondent’s costs if the panel allocates them.
The risk of bearing costs
The Quick Look Review is designed to eliminate manifestly unfounded objections. An objector who files a weak objection loses the filing fee and may face cost consequences. The risk is real, and it should be weighed against the value of the string.
When to comment instead
A public comment or a GAC Early Warning is a lower-cost way to raise concerns about an application. It does not stop the application, but it creates a record that can support a later objection or a GAC Consensus Advice. For many brand owners, a comment plus monitoring is the proportionate response, with an objection reserved for the applications that pose a direct and material risk.
Objecting is expensive and risky. Sometimes a comment is the better tool. We advise on the proportionate response. Talk to counsel →
The Trademark Clearinghouse in 2026
What the TMCH does
The Trademark Clearinghouse is ICANN’s central repository of verified trademark records. It provides:
- Sunrise priority — the right to register your trademark in new gTLDs before general availability.
- Trademark Claims — alerts when someone attempts to register your exact trademark string in a participating TLD.
- Ongoing notifications throughout the trademark’s validity period.
Sunrise and Trademark Claims
All new gTLDs must offer a Sunrise period of at least 30 days in which trademark holders have priority access to register domain names corresponding to their trademarks. Trademark Claims must operate for at least 90 days after registration opens.
The revised 2026 requirements
New gTLD registry operators under the 2026 Base Registry Agreement must comply with the updated TMCH Requirements, which are being revised to implement recommendations from the RPM Phase 1 PDP Final Report. The updates are intended to improve the effectiveness, consistency, and fairness of Sunrise and Trademark Claims for trademark owners and registrants.
What brand owners must do
- Audit TMCH records — are all relevant marks recorded and current?
- Review Sunrise eligibility — which marks qualify for which extensions?
- Monitor new gTLD launches — which extensions are relevant to your business?
- Register in Sunrise where the extension is material.
- Update watchlists — include the new gTLDs as they delegate.
Are your marks recorded and current? We audit TMCH coverage before Sunrise and map the new gTLDs that matter to your brand. Audit your TMCH coverage →
Post-delegation disputes
Delegation is not the end of the dispute lifecycle. Three post-delegation dispute resolution procedures apply:
UDRP and URS
The UDRP applies to all new gTLDs. A trademark owner can file a UDRP complaint against a domain in a new gTLD that is identical or confusingly similar to its mark, where the registrant has no legitimate interest and the domain was registered and used in bad faith. The URS is also available for clear-cut cases in new gTLDs, offering suspension only.
TM-PDDRP
The Trademark Post-Delegation Dispute Resolution Procedure (TM-PDDRP) enables trademark holders to challenge conduct by a new gTLD registry operator that takes unfair advantage of their trademark. It is a registry-level procedure, not a domain-level one. A finding can lead to compliance remedies, not domain transfer.
RRDRP
The Registry Registration Dispute Resolution Procedure (RRDRP) addresses registry operators that violate their registration policies — for example, by allowing registrations that breach the registry’s own eligibility rules.
PICDRP
The Public Interest Commitments Dispute Resolution Procedure (PICDRP) addresses registry operators that fail to comply with their Public Interest Commitments in Specification 11 of the Registry Agreement. It is a compliance procedure, not a trademark remedy.
| Procedure | Target | Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| UDRP | Domain registrant | Transfer or cancellation |
| URS | Domain registrant | Suspension |
| TM-PDDRP | Registry operator | Compliance remedies |
| RRDRP | Registry operator | Compliance remedies |
| PICDRP | Registry operator | Compliance remedies |
The new gTLD dispute checklist
- Applications: review the 1,616 strings on Reveal Day.
- Contention: check whether your brand string is in a contention set.
- Standing: do you have standing for an LRO or SCO?
- Objection grounds: String Confusion, Legal Rights, Limited Public Interest, or Community?
- Cost: filing fee, advance costs, legal fees, appeal.
- Quick Look Review: is the objection strong enough to survive?
- TMCH: are your marks recorded and current?
- Sunrise: which extensions matter, and when do they open?
- Post-delegation: UDRP, URS, TM-PDDRP, RRDRP, PICDRP.
- Monitoring: add the new gTLDs to your watchlist.
The checklist is the strategy. Book a 2026 round assessment →
How counsel.domains can help
If you are assessing whether to object, we review the application, test standing, and model the filing fee, advance costs, and legal fees.
If you are preparing for Sunrise, we audit TMCH coverage and map the extensions that matter to your brand.
If delegation has begun, we coordinate UDRP, URS, and post-delegation strategy across the new namespace.
If you are an applicant facing an objection, we build the response within the 5,000-word limit and the Quick Look Review timetable.
counsel.domains Domain names, worldwide. Talk to counsel about the 2026 round → · [email protected]
Disclaimer: This website provides general information about domain name dispute resolution. It is not legal advice and does not create a professional relationship. Procedures and fees change; check the relevant policy and provider before acting. counsel.domains is not affiliated with ICANN, WIPO, the ICC, or any registry or dispute-resolution provider.