Pre-Evaluation consists of processes that ICANN performs after the new generic top-level domain (gTLD) application submission period closes and before formal evaluations begin. These steps prepare applications for review by verifying that each application meets threshold requirements (such as completing evaluation payment), confirming applied-for strings, and establishing the order in which applications will be processed.
For a full explanation of the milestones between application submission and evaluation, see Module 3 Application Submission of the Applicant Guidebook.
Pre-Evaluation Milestones and Timing
Following is an explanation of each of the significant Pre-Evaluation milestones and their estimated dates based on a tentative timeline. Several factors may impact the timeline. Estimations will be updated after the number of applications is publicly shared on Reveal Day.
Payments
ICANN must receive the full gTLD evaluation fee by whichever date is later:
- 23:59 UTC on 19 August 2026 OR
- 23:59 UTC on the date that is seven days after the invoice was sent.
(For example, for an invoice sent on 14 August 2026, payment must be received by 23:59 UTC on 21 August 2026.
For more information on the gTLD evaluation fee, payment deadline, and more, see gTLD Evaluation Fee Frequently Asked Questions.
If ICANN has not received the evaluation fee payment by the deadline, generally the application will not be processed any further and will be canceled.
For more information, see 3.3 Fees and Payments of the Applicant Guidebook.
Administrative Check
Projected Duration: Eight weeks after the close of the application submission period.
During the administrative check, ICANN:
- Verifies that the required gTLD evaluation fee has been received;
- Reviews applications for administrative completeness; and
- Identifies applications for identical strings and their variants and groups them into a list of initial contention sets in preparation for Reveal Day.
The Administrative Check takes about eight weeks after the application submission period to complete. However, if application volume is unexpectedly high, ICANN may publish an updated timeline for completing the administrative check.
See 3.2 Administrative Check and Preparation for Reveal Day in the Applicant Guidebook.
Reveal Day
Projected: Nine weeks after the close of the application submission period.
On Reveal Day, ICANN will publish a list of all applications that have passed the administrative check on the New gTLD Program website. Specifically, ICANN will publish:
- A list of all applied-for gTLD strings, including any applied-for variant strings or replacement strings, if applicable;
- The public portions of each application; and
- A list of initial contention sets
Reveal Day is expected to occur no later than nine weeks after the application submission period closes. ICANN will determine the date of Reveal Day after the application window closes, depending on the volume of applications received.
From Reveal Day forward, certain communications and activities are prohibited or restricted for applications in contention. For more information, see Contention Set Resolution.
For more information about Reveal Day, see 3.4 Reveal Day of the Applicant Guidebook. For information on what applicant and application information will be posted publicly on Reveal Day, see A1.3 Guidelines for Filling out the Application of the Applicant Guidebook.
Replacement Period
Duration: 14 days following Reveal Day.
After Reveal Day, applicants may have the opportunity to replace their original applied-for string with their replacement string to avoid contention.
Applicants that submitted an eligible replacement string in their original application will have a 14-day Replacement Period to notify ICANN through the TLD Application Management System (TAMS) of their intention to replace their original applied-for string with the replacement string identified in their application. The replacement string must not create contention or expand an existing contention set.
For more information, see Contention Set Resolution, and sections 3.5 Replacement Period and 5.1 Replacement Strings of the Applicant Guidebook.
String Confirmation Day
Projected: November 2026
On String Confirmation Day, ICANN will publish the final list of applied-for strings. Specifically, ICANN will publish:
- An updated list showing each application's final, confirmed applied-for string or strings following the Replacement Period;
- Updated list of contention sets reflecting any replacements of original applied-for strings;
- The Application Comment Forum, allowing all interested parties, including applicants, to comment on the applications; and
- The Singular/Plural Notification submission form.
Following String Confirmation Day, the ICANN community and interested members of the public will have an opportunity to provide input on applications. Input can be provided in several ways: application comments, Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) Member Early Warnings, GAC Consensus Advice, Singular/Plural Notifications, and objections. For more information, see Module 4 Community Input, Objections, and Appeals of the Applicant Guidebook and the Community Input, Objections, and Appeals homepage.
The exact date of the String Confirmation Day is to be determined by ICANN, subject to application volume received and other factors.
For more information, see 3.6 String Confirmation Day of the Applicant Guidebook.
Prioritization Draw
Within 30 days of String Confirmation Day
The Prioritization Draw is the process ICANN uses to assign a Priority Number to each gTLD application.
The Priority Number determines the general order in which applications:
- Move through contention resolution;
- Move through Applicant Evaluation and Application Evaluation and receive the results; and
- Proceed toward contracting with ICANN, if successful.
Priority Number does not impact the order in which applications move through String Evaluation.
The Prioritization Draw will occur within 30 days after String Confirmation Day. Participation is optional. ICANN expects to announce full details of the Draw no less than 30 days in advance.
For more information on the Prioritization Draw, see the Pre-Evaluation Processes FAQ and 3.7 Order of Application Processing and Prioritization Draw of the Applicant Guidebook.
For details on how processing priority is assigned to applications not entered into the Prioritization Draw, see Section 3.7.4 Applications Not Included in the Prioritization Draw of the Applicant Guidebook.
Additional Resources
Learn more about Pre-Evaluation and the other stages of the Applicant Journey: