ICANN has selected Analysys Mason to operate two evaluation panels for the 2026 round of its New Generic Top-Level Domains Program, giving the consultancy responsibility for reviews that can determine whether applications involving geographic or reserved names are allowed to proceed.

The appointment covers both the Geographic Names Panel and Reserved Names Panel. ICANN said it selected Analysys Mason through a competitive procurement process begun in February. The organization had sought a single provider because of similarities between the two reviews. Analysys Mason was also selected in March to conduct Community Priority Evaluations for the 2026 round.

Under the 2026 Applicant Guidebook, every applied-for string is checked against rules governing geographic and reserved names. Geographic-name applications undergo a substantive review in which the panel verifies required documentation of government or public-authority support or non-objection. Country and territory names cannot be delegated as new gTLDs, while other protected geographic categories include capital-city names, certain city names, subnational place names and specified UNESCO or geographic regions.

Geographic review can add as much as $12,000 to an application. Unlike initial geographic-name identification, which is covered by the general gTLD evaluation fee, the subsequent Geographic Names Review is a conditional evaluation charged separately. ICANN’s current fee schedule caps that review at $12,000 per application. Reserved Names Review does not carry a separate conditional fee.

The Reserved Names Panel handles strings identified against ICANN’s Reserved Names list, including an exception process covering protected names associated with specified international organizations. Its task includes determining whether the applicant is the eligible entity and authenticating supporting documentation. An applicant that fails either the geographic or reserved-name review can request Extended Evaluation, where additional clarifying questions may be issued.

ICANN’s rules impose conflict-of-interest requirements on evaluation providers. Providers must disclose relevant New gTLD Program business relationships from the previous six months, and conflicted applications are to be reassigned where appropriate. The procurement documents specifically required the geographic and reserved-name provider to maintain a recusal process and supply an alternative evaluator when an applicant creates a conflict.

The appointment puts Analysys Mason in a consequential position in the 2026 round: alongside its Community Priority Evaluation work, the firm will now apply several of the Applicant Guidebook’s criteria governing which requested strings and applicants can advance through evaluation.