ICANN publishes 1,615 applications for new gTLDs
ICANN has published 1,615 applications for new generic top-level domains in its 2026 round. The list includes brand, community-based and internationalised domain name applications, with public feedback and objections opening in November.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has published the applications submitted for its 2026 round of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), marking the start of the next stage in the process of expanding the Domain Name System.
The application window ran from 30 April to 12 August 2026. The initial figures, published on 7 October, show 1,615 applications. These include 333 brand applications, 16 community-based applications and 21 applications for internationalised domain names, which allow domain names to use scripts other than the Latin alphabet. Nine applications involve variant strings.
North America accounts for the largest share, with 864 applications, followed by Europe with 506 and Asia, Australia and the Pacific with 218. Africa accounts for 16 applications, while Latin America and the Caribbean account for 11. The figures reflect primary-string applications as of Reveal Day; final numbers and categories will be confirmed in November.
The publication includes the requested domain strings, applying entities, public portions of applications and a list of contention sets. These identify cases in which applications may compete for the same or similar domain names.
Applicants can make one final change to an eligible replacement string between 8 and 21 October. On 17 November, ICANN will publish the confirmed list of applied-for strings and updated contention sets. This will also open the period for community input and objections, running until 16 March 2027.
The process allows the ICANN community and the public to comment on applications. Possible routes include application comments, early warnings from members of the Governmental Advisory Committee and formal objections. Applicants can also withdraw their applications and receive a 65% refund of the evaluation fee, provided they submit a request by 27 November at 23:59 UTC.
The subsequent evaluation process will review whether proposed strings meet the programme’s requirements. ICANN expects the prioritisation draw, which will determine the order in which applications and contention sets are processed after string evaluation, to take place in the first half of 2027. Further milestones have yet to be confirmed.
