Why it matters
Only one applicant can run a given TLD. ICANN's 2026 round published its list of contention sets with the application reveal. An ICANN auction resolves contention among applicants in a set, and ICANN states that its program processes are the only permitted route. Auction prices can run high. For domain buyers, this decides who runs a TLD and when. A common mistake is expecting a new extension on a set date. Contention can delay it for years.
Source: newgtldprogram.icann.org