---
id: "46e63d06-857e-440d-91a5-eaeaecd4f19c"
kind: "link"
title: "ICANN reveals 1,615 new gTLD applications, .agent most contested"
language: "en"
section: "gtld"
date: "2026-10-09T04:48:25Z"
updated: "2026-10-11T15:01:00Z"
canonical: "https://tldlog.com/l/icann-reveals-1-615-new-gtld-applications-agent-most/"
origin: "master"
translations:
  es: "https://tldlog.com/es/l/icann-revela-1-615-solicitudes-nuevos-gtld-agent-mas/"
  pt-BR: "https://tldlog.com/pt/l/icann-revela-1-615-candidaturas-novos-gtlds-agent-mais/"
  ru: "https://tldlog.com/ru/l/icann-raskryl-1-615-zayavok-novye-gtld-agent-samaya-spornaya/"
source:
  name: "dnjournal.com"
  url: "https://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2026/posts/1008.htm"
  language: "en"
  date: "2026-10-08T20:56:50Z"
---

# ICANN reveals 1,615 new gTLD applications, .agent most contested

## in plain words

ICANN, the group that manages internet domain names, 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 applied for the most new endings overall.

ICANN held its Reveal Day on October 7, 2026, disclosing the full list of 1,615 applications submitted for new generic top-level domains (gTLDs) and the identities of applicants. This is the first 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 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 TLD operator with more than 270 extensions from the 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 strings. 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 Registry applied for 139 strings, 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.

Source: [dnjournal.com](https://www.dnjournal.com/archive/lowdown/2026/posts/1008.htm)

## also covered by

- [dreyfus.fr](https://www.dreyfus.fr/2026/10/08/nouveaux-gtld-2026-que-revele-le-reveal-day-de-licann-et-comment-proteger-sa-marque-avant-le-16-mars-2027/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=nouveaux-gtld-2026-que-revele-le-reveal-day-de-licann-et-comment-proteger-sa-marque-avant-le-16-mars-2027) (in French)
- [blog.101domain.com](https://blog.101domain.com/domains/icann-2026-new-gtld-round-reveal-day) (in English)
- [theregister.com](https://www.theregister.com/networks/2026/10/08/icann-reveals-bids-for-new-top-level-domains/5301857) (in English)