ICANN reveals 1,615 new gTLD applications, .agent most contested
in plain words
ICANN Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers The nonprofit that coordinates the global DNS and gTLD policy. Full definition of ICANN, the group that manages internet domain name A readable internet name made of labels separated by dots. Full definition of domain name, announced on October 7, 2026 how many companies applied to run new website endings like .agent or .bit. In total there were 1,615 applications. Some endings had many companies competing for them, so those will likely be settled by an auction. Identity Digital A company, formerly Donuts, that runs many gTLDs and provides registry services. Full definition of Identity Digital applied for the most new endings overall.
ICANN held its Reveal Day The day ICANN publishes who applied for which new gTLD strings. Full definition of Reveal Day on October 7, 2026, disclosing the full list of 1,615 applications submitted for new generic top-level domains (gTLD generic top-level domain A top-level domain not tied to a country, run under ICANN contracts. Full definition of gTLD) and the identities of applicant An organization that has applied to ICANN to run a new gTLD. Full definition of applicant. This is the first new gTLD A generic top-level domain added to the internet through ICANN's New gTLD Program. Full definition of new gTLD application round since 2012. Several proposed extensions attracted multiple competing applicants: .agent drew 13 suitors, the most contested string, followed by .bit with 11, and .api, .brand A top-level domain that a company runs for its own trademark. Full definition of .brand and .hub with 10 each. Disputes over these shared strings will be resolved through ICANN's Contention Sets process, which often results in an auction awarding the rights to the highest bidder.
Identity Digital, formerly Donuts and already the largest registry operator The organization that holds the contract or mandate for a TLD and sets its rules. Full definition of registry operator with more than 270 extensions from the 2012 round The first round of ICANN's New gTLD Program, which opened for applications in 2012. Full definition of 2012 round, filed the most applications this round at 216, spanning categories including AI, web3, commerce and finance. CEO Akram Atallah said the company views the internet as “a home for everyone” and that new extensions give people and businesses ways to express identity, adding that AI is accelerating demand for relevant, trusted names.
The newly formed Link Freedom Group ranked second with 158 primary applications, plus 158 backup replacement string A backup string an applicant can switch to shortly after Reveal Day. Full definition of replacement string. CEO Vaughn Liley said the selections, backed by tens of millions of dollars in capital and strategic partnerships, reflect the company's strategic direction for the next phase of the program. XYZ.com The registry operator of .xyz and several other new gTLDs. Full definition of XYZ.com applied for 139 strings, GoDaddy The largest registrar, which also runs a registry business and an aftermarket platform. Full definition of GoDaddy for 77, and Intercap Registry for 71.
Applicants who submitted a replacement string option now have two weeks to switch from their primary choice if eligible; Link Freedom Group has already finalized its selections. ICANN will publish the final list of strings moving forward on String Confirmation Day, November 17, 2026, which will open the Community Input and Objections Period, a formal comment phase.