---
id: "private-auction"
kind: "glossary-term"
title: "private auction"
language: "en"
category: "TLD types and programs"
updated: "2026-10-04T14:01:23Z"
canonical: "https://tldlog.com/glossary/private-auction/"
translations:
  es: "https://tldlog.com/es/glosario/subasta-privada/"
  de: "https://tldlog.com/de/glossar/private-auktion/"
  fr: "https://tldlog.com/fr/glossaire/enchere-privee/"
  it: "https://tldlog.com/it/glossario/asta-privata/"
  pt-BR: "https://tldlog.com/pt/glossario/leilao-privado/"
  ru: "https://tldlog.com/ru/glossariy/chastnyy-auktsion/"
  zh-Hans: "https://tldlog.com/zh/cihui/siren-paimai/"
---

# private auction

An auction held between competing applicants for the same gTLD string, outside ICANN, where losers shared the money. It was common in the 2012 round. The 2026 Round Applicant Guidebook bans private auctions and other private deals to settle contention.

## related terms

- [auction of last resort](https://tldlog.com/glossary/auction-of-last-resort/)
- [string contention](https://tldlog.com/glossary/string-contention/)
- [2026 Round](https://tldlog.com/glossary/new-gtld-program-2026-round/)