private auction

An auction held between competing applicants (glossary)applicant An organization that has applied to ICANN to run a new gTLD. Full definition of applicant for the same gTLD string (glossary)applied-for string The characters an applicant asks ICANN to approve as a new top-level domain. Full definition of applied-for string, outside ICANN (glossary)ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers The nonprofit that coordinates the global DNS and gTLD policy. Full definition of ICANN, where losers shared the money. It was common in the 2012 round (glossary)2012 round The first round of ICANN's New gTLD Program, which opened for applications in 2012. Full definition of 2012 round. The 2026 Round Applicant Guidebook bans private auctions and other private deals to settle contention.