New gTLDs: what is "Reveal Day"?

In the world of domain names, Reveal Day is the official date when ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) publicly announces all the applications submitted for new generic Top-Level Domains (gTLDs).

Until this day, the specific strings (the part after the dot) and the identities of the applicants are kept strictly confidential.

Why It Matters

Reveal Day is a major milestone because it marks the shift from a private application process to a public evaluation phase. It is significant for several reasons:

• Transparency: For the first time, the public sees who wants to own what (e.g., Google applying for .whatever or a startup applying for .whosthere).
• Objection Period: It triggers a window where governments, brands, or other organizations can file formal objections if they believe a proposed domain is confusingly similar to an existing one or violates specific policies.
• Contention Awareness: It reveals "contention sets"—situations where multiple parties have applied for the same string (like 13 different companies all applying for .youbet).

Historical Context: The 2012 Round

The most famous "Reveal Day" occurred on June 13, 2012. ICANN held a massive press conference in London to announce 1,930 applications. This event fundamentally changed the internet landscape, leading to the thousands of non-traditional endings we see today, like .app, .guru, and .pizza.

Upcoming: The 2026 Round

ICANN is currently preparing for the next major round of new gTLDs. According to the current timeline for the 2026 Round:

• Application Window: Expected to open in April 2026 and close in August 2026.
• Reveal Day: Scheduled for October 2026.

On that day in October, the industry will finally find out which new brands and generic terms are being proposed for the next generation of the web.