The date from which new domain extensions can be applied for was announced (30th of April 2026), but what’s next? The biggest uncertainty here is the number of applications. The timeline has been drawn up on the basis of 2,000 applications. If there are fewer applications, everything will proceed more quickly. If there are more applications, there will be additional delays. Based on 2,000 applications, this is what we can expect in the coming period:

• 30th of April 2026 – the application window opens for 15 weeks
• 12th of August 2026 – the application window closes
• October 2026 – ICANN publishes the preliminary list of all applications (“Reveal Day”)
• November 2026 – ICANN publishes the final list of all applications (“String Confirmation Day”); the community can provide input for 15 weeks
• December 2026 – ICANN defines the order of processing
• June 2027 – ICANN completes the first set of checks (“String evaluation”)

From this moment onwards, applications will be processed in their assigned order. The lucky applicant at the start of the list can pencil the following dates in its agenda:

• September 2027 – ICANN completes the second set of checks (“Applicant and application evaluation”)
• December 2027 – The contract is signed
• February 2028 – The domain extension becomes available on the internet

ICANN commits to a capacity of 500 applications per year. This means that the applicant at the end of the list may not be able to launch their extension until four years later (in 2032), or even later if there are more than 2.000 applications filed.