ICANN releases initial list of evaluated registry service providers for 2026 gTLD round
ICANN has published the first list of registry service providers that have passed parts of its technical evaluation ahead of the 2026 round of new generic top-level domains. The list identifies which providers are already cleared to support future gTLD applicants.
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers has published an initial list of organisations participating in its Registry Service Provider Evaluation Program for the New gTLD Program: 2026 Round. The list includes providers that have successfully completed both technical screening and technical testing, as well as those that have passed the initial screening stage and are still completing testing.
Registry Service Providers, or RSPs, are companies that operate the technical infrastructure behind top-level domains. This includes services such as running the Domain Name System, managing registration data, and supporting security features like DNSSEC. Many organisations that apply for new gTLDs do not run this infrastructure themselves and instead rely on specialised backend providers.
The evaluation program separates the technical assessment of these providers from the application for individual domain names. In practical terms, this means that an RSP is evaluated once and can then support multiple gTLD applications. All applicants in the 2026 round will be required to name an evaluated RSP either when they submit their application or later in the evaluation process, as set out in the Applicant Guidebook.
ICANN noted that some applications, including those related to Internationalized Domain Name services and additional registry services, will be added to the list later. These are expected to be published in early March 2026. The list will continue to be updated as further providers complete the evaluation process.
A second evaluation window for RSPs is planned to coincide with the opening of the gTLD application round, currently expected on 30 April 2026. ICANN has said the publication timeline was adjusted to January 2026 following technical issues during testing, in order to allow sufficient time to complete the required checks.
The release of the initial list is a preparatory step for the next expansion of the domain name system. By pre-evaluating technical service providers, ICANN aims to reduce delays during the application process and ensure that new gTLDs are supported by infrastructure that meets established stability and security requirements.
