ICANN Reveals 1,615 Applications for 2026 New gTLD Round
Event summary
- ICANN published 1,615 applications for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) in its 2026 round, including 333 brand applications and 16 community-based applications.
- Applications were submitted from 30 April to 12 August 2026, with the highest number coming from North America (864) and Europe (506).
- String Confirmation Day is scheduled for 17 November 2026, followed by the Community Input and Objections Period.
- The previous 2012 round resulted in over 1,200 new gTLDs, including names in non-Latin scripts.
The big picture
The 2026 round of new gTLD applications underscores the continued demand for digital identity expansion and the diversification of the Domain Name System. This round could further globalize internet governance by increasing participation from non-Western regions, particularly Africa and Asia. The scale of applications suggests sustained interest in branded and community-specific domains, potentially reshaping online branding strategies.
What we're watching
- Contention Resolution
- How the preliminary contention sets will be resolved and whether any high-profile conflicts emerge.
- Geographic Diversity
- Whether the distribution of applications reflects a more balanced global participation compared to previous rounds.
- Program Execution
- The pace at which ICANN processes the applications and finalizes the new gTLDs for deployment.