DomainsUpdated 8 min read
New TLDs Coming in 2027–2028: What to Expect
By the handle.tools team · Published
In this guide 10
New TLDs are coming. For the first time since 2012, ICANN, the organisation that oversees domain names, has opened a new round in which companies, communities and cities can apply to run brand-new extensions. The first of them are expected to start appearing from 2027 onwards, with more arriving through 2028 and beyond.
That means new endings to choose from, new chances to grab a short name before everyone else, and new brand extensions from big companies. This guide explains how the new round works, the realistic timeline for 2027–2028, what kinds of extensions to expect, how launches work (sunrise, landrush and general availability), and why you shouldn't wait for them before claiming your name today.
What are new TLDs?
A TLD (top-level domain) is the ending of a web address: .com, .org, .uk, .shop. "New TLDs" (or new gTLDs, for generic TLDs) are extensions added through ICANN's application programme, rather than the original handful created in the 1980s. If you're new to the terminology, what is a TLD? covers the basics.
The 2012 round: where today's new extensions came from
ICANN's first big expansion opened applications in 2012 and eventually added well over a thousand extensions, including .app, .shop, .online, .studio and brand extensions like .google. It's the reason today's domain search shows hundreds of endings instead of a dozen.
Why a new round now?
ICANN spent years reviewing the 2012 round and agreeing the rules for the next one. That work produced a new applicant guidebook and a plan to open applications again, with the aim of running further rounds on a more regular schedule in future.
The new TLD timeline for 2027–2028
ICANN planned to open the next application window in 2026. Based on how the 2012 round played out, here's the realistic sequence that follows. Exact dates depend on ICANN's processing and on each application.
| Stage | What happens | Rough timing |
|---|---|---|
| Application window | Organisations apply for the extensions they want to run | 2026 |
| Reveal | ICANN publishes the list of applied-for strings | Shortly after the window closes |
| Evaluation | Technical, financial and string checks on each application | Around a year |
| Objections and contention | Disputes are resolved; identical strings are settled, sometimes by auction | Overlaps with evaluation |
| Contracting and testing | Successful applicants sign a registry agreement and pass technical tests | Months |
| Delegation | The extension is added to the root zone | From 2027 onwards |
| Launch to the public | Sunrise, then landrush, then general availability | From 2027–2028 onwards |
In the 2012 round, the first new extensions went live roughly a year and a half after applications closed, and launches then continued for several years. Expect a similar wave: a few early launches, then a steady stream.
What kinds of new TLDs to expect
Until the applied-for list is published and approved, nobody can say exactly which extensions will launch. But the types of applications are predictable from the last round and from the rules for this one.
| Type | What it is | Who can register |
|---|---|---|
| Brand TLDs | A company's own extension, like the existing .google | Usually only the company |
| Generic words | Industries, hobbies and interests | Usually anyone |
| Geographic | Cities and regions | Often local businesses and residents |
| Community | Groups with a shared identity | Members of that community |
| Internationalised (IDN) | Extensions in non-Latin scripts | Varies |
Brand TLDs
Many large companies are expected to apply for their own name as an extension, as several did in 2012. These are typically closed: used for the company's own sites and campaigns, not sold to the public.
Generic and niche words
Most of the obvious generic words were taken in 2012, so the new round is likely to include more niche, specialised and language-specific terms, plus strings that weren't allowed or weren't applied for last time.
Internationalised extensions
ICANN has said supporting more extensions in non-Latin scripts is a priority, so expect more options in scripts such as Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic and Devanagari.
How new TLD launches work
When a public extension launches, it doesn't simply open to everyone at once. It usually goes through three phases.
1. Sunrise
Trademark holders who've recorded their marks with the Trademark Clearinghouse get first access, so they can register their brand names before the public. Sunrise lasts at least 30 days.
2. Landrush or early access
A short period, often a week or so, when anyone can register before general availability for a higher fee that drops day by day. It's for people who really want a specific name and are happy to pay to beat the crowd.
3. General availability
The extension opens to everyone, first come, first served, at the normal price (premium names excepted).
Should you wait for a new TLD?
Almost certainly not. Even if a perfect extension for your project is applied for, it could be years before you can register a name in it, and there's no guarantee it launches at all.
- Your project needs a name now. Waiting stalls branding, email and social profiles.
- Existing extensions are proven. People already recognise .com, .co, .shop and your country code.
- New extensions start unfamiliar. It takes time for the public to trust and type a new ending.
- You can always add one later. Register the new extension when it launches and forward it to your main site.
The smart move is to secure your name on the best existing extension today, and claim the matching social handles while you're at it. The best domain extensions for 2027 guide helps you choose.
Claim your name todaySearch one name across 100+ existing extensions and see which are free right now.Search TLDsHow to prepare for the new TLD round
- Secure your core domain now on .com or the best available extension.
- Register your trademark if you have a brand worth protecting. Recording it with the Trademark Clearinghouse gives you sunrise access and alerts when someone registers a matching name.
- Make a shortlist of the kinds of extensions that would fit your brand, so you can act fast when they launch.
- Follow launch announcements from registries and your registrar for sunrise and general availability dates.
- Keep your handles consistent: a new extension is most useful when it matches your existing username everywhere. Check yours on the username checker.
Lessons from the 2012 round
The last expansion is the best guide to what the next one will look like for ordinary domain buyers.
A few extensions took off; many stayed niche
Endings like .app, .shop, .online, .xyz and .store became genuinely popular, with large numbers of registrations. Plenty of others attracted only small numbers of names and remain little known. Popularity tends to follow clear meaning and good pricing, not just novelty.
Many brand extensions were never really used
Lots of companies applied for their own name in 2012, and a significant number later gave those extensions up, because running a registry costs money and most visitors still expected .com. Expect brand TLDs again, but don't expect them to change how most people browse.
Prices and rules changed after launch
Some registries raised prices, introduced more premium names or changed their policies over time. That's a good reason to check an extension's track record and renewal price before building a brand on it.
- Clear, meaningful extensions win: .shop is obvious; obscure words aren't.
- Early registrants got the best short names in each popular extension.
- Familiarity grows slowly, so new endings take years to feel normal.
What new TLDs mean for domain prices and availability
More extensions mean more choice, but they don't make every name cheap.
| Effect | What to expect |
|---|---|
| More short names available | Each new public extension starts with every name unregistered |
| Premium pricing | Registries mark desirable names as premium, often with higher renewals |
| Launch discounts | Some new extensions run first-year deals to attract registrations |
| Uneven adoption | Some extensions take off, others stay niche or are little used |
| Brand protection costs | Companies may need to defend their names in more places |
As always, check the renewal price before you buy, and remember that the extension matters less than a name people can remember. How much does a domain name cost? explains what to watch for.
Conclusion
Recap
ICANN's first new TLD round since 2012 means new extensions are expected to start launching from 2027, with more through 2028 and beyond. Expect brand TLDs, niche generic words, city and community extensions, and more internationalised options.
Public extensions launch in phases (sunrise for trademark holders, then landrush, then general availability), and the best names go quickly.
Final thoughts
Don't wait for a new extension to arrive: secure your name on the best existing extension today, keep your handles consistent, and add new extensions as they launch. Start on the TLD checker to see where your name is free right now.
Frequently asked questions
Are new TLDs coming in 2027?
Yes. ICANN's next new gTLD round, the first since 2012, means new extensions are expected to start launching from 2027, with more arriving through 2028 and later years.
What is the new gTLD program?
It's ICANN's process for organisations to apply to run new top-level domains. The first big round was in 2012 and added well over a thousand extensions.
Which new domain extensions are coming?
Exact extensions depend on which applications are submitted and approved. Expect brand TLDs, niche generic words, geographic and community extensions, and more non-Latin-script options.
When can I register a new TLD?
Once an extension completes evaluation and is delegated, the registry announces its launch: sunrise for trademark holders first, then often a landrush, then general availability for everyone.
Should I wait for a new extension before registering a domain?
No. It could take years and may never happen. Register your name on an existing extension now, and add a new one later if it suits you.
What is a sunrise period?
A period of at least 30 days at the start of a launch when trademark holders recorded with the Trademark Clearinghouse can register matching names before the public.
Will new TLDs be cheaper than .com?
Some will run launch discounts, but many desirable names will be premium-priced. Always check the renewal price, not just the first year.
Can I apply for my own TLD?
Organisations can, but it's a major commitment: a large application fee, technical and financial requirements, and the responsibility of running a registry. It's mostly done by large companies and established registry operators.
