Nova Registry Wants 200 New Domain Extensions: What This Means for Domain Buyers in 2026

The next wave of internet domain extensions is coming, and one company is betting bigger than anyone else. Nova Registry, the company behind the popular .link TLD, has confirmed it plans to apply for 200 new top-level domain names in ICANN's upcoming application round — the first new gTLD round since 2012.

This is not a typo. Two hundred new extensions from a single company.

With ICANN85 kicking off in Mumbai on March 7, 2026, the domain industry is buzzing about what the next generation of TLDs will look like, who will control them, and what it all means for businesses and individuals buying domains today.

The New gTLD Round: A Quick Refresher

ICANN — the organization that coordinates the internet's naming system — ran its first new gTLD program in 2012. That round introduced over 1,200 new extensions like .app, .io, .tech, .xyz, and hundreds more.

Nearly 14 years later, ICANN is preparing to open applications again. The Applicant Guidebook has been updated, new tools like Domain Incite's Stringtel are launching to help applicants analyze potential strings, and registries are positioning themselves for what could be the biggest expansion of the domain namespace since the original round.

The application window is expected to open in 2026, with new TLDs potentially going live in 2027-2028.

Who Is Nova Registry?

Nova Registry operates .link, one of the more established alternative TLDs. Under the leadership of General Manager Vaughn Liley, the company has been quietly building infrastructure and partnerships to support a massive expansion.

Their plan to apply for 200 TLDs would make them one of the largest applicants in the upcoming round — potentially rivaling the scale of companies like Donuts (now Identity Digital), which applied for over 300 strings in the 2012 round and now operates extensions like .live, .world, .life, and .email.

What Kind of Extensions Are We Talking About?

While Nova Registry hasn't revealed its full list, new gTLD applications typically fall into several categories:

Geographic TLDs

Extensions tied to cities, regions, or countries — like .nyc, .london, or .berlin from the first round.

Industry-Specific TLDs

Extensions targeting specific sectors: .law, .medical, .auto, .finance. These can command premium pricing and attract businesses willing to pay more for a relevant namespace.

Generic Word TLDs

Broad terms like .shop, .online, .site — the workhorses of the alternative TLD market.

Brand TLDs

Large companies sometimes apply for their own branded extensions (like .google or .apple), though these are typically not available for public registration.

With 200 applications, Nova Registry is likely targeting a mix of generic and industry-specific strings that can generate registration volume across multiple markets.

Why This Matters for Domain Buyers

If you're buying domains today — whether for a business, a startup, or investment — the upcoming gTLD round has real implications.

1. More Options, More Confusion

The 2012 round added over 1,200 extensions, and many buyers found the choice overwhelming. Adding hundreds more will intensify this. The fundamental question — "which extension should I choose?" — gets harder, not easier.

This is exactly why tools like DomyDomains' domain extension guide exist. Understanding the landscape before you buy is more important than ever.

2. Early Registration Advantages

When new TLDs launch, there's typically a sunrise period (for trademark holders), a landrush period (premium early access), and then general availability. Getting in early on a promising new extension can mean securing a short, memorable domain at launch pricing.

For example, .ai domains were available for under $100 when they first gained popularity. Today, premium .ai domains sell for six and even seven figures — as we covered in our article on the .ai domain boom.

3. .com Remains King (For Now)

Despite the explosion of new TLDs, .com still dominates. This week's Sedo sales were led by sot.com at $46,000, and NameJet/SnapNames combined for 103 expired domain sales over $2,000 in February alone, totaling nearly $500,000.

The new gTLD round won't change .com's dominance overnight. But it will continue to erode it at the margins, especially in specific industries where a relevant TLD (like .tech or .ai) carries more brand weight than a longer .com.

4. Consolidation Is Already Happening

The domain registry space is consolidating. Identity Digital operates over 300 TLDs. GoDaddy's registry arm controls dozens more. If Nova Registry successfully launches 200 new extensions, they'd instantly become one of the largest registry operators in the world.

This consolidation matters because whoever controls the registry sets the pricing. As we explored in our piece on who owns your TLD, understanding the business behind your domain extension helps you anticipate future price changes.

The ICANN85 Mumbai Connection

ICANN85 begins March 7 in Mumbai, and the new gTLD round will be a major topic of discussion. However, the conference itself is facing logistical challenges — the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted airspace, making travel to India more difficult and expensive for European and Middle Eastern attendees.

Despite these challenges, key decisions about application timelines, evaluation criteria, and dispute resolution for the new round are expected to advance at ICANN85.

New Tools for a New Era

The complexity of applying for a new TLD has spawned new tools. Stringtel, just launched by Domain Incite, helps prospective applicants analyze potential strings against the rules in ICANN's Applicant Guidebook. It checks for things like:

• Similarity to existing TLDs (which could trigger objections)
• Geographic name restrictions
• Reserved strings
• Potential trademark conflicts

For domain buyers rather than applicants, tools like DomyDomains' domain search help you check availability across hundreds of existing and upcoming extensions in one search.

What Should You Do Right Now?

Here's practical advice based on where the market is heading:

If you're starting a business: Secure your .com first if it's available and affordable. Use our domain generator to find creative options. Then consider relevant alternative TLDs (.ai, .tech, .io) as secondary domains.

If you're a domain investor: Watch the new gTLD application list closely when it's published. Early registrations in promising new TLDs can be lucrative — but pick carefully. Most new TLDs from the 2012 round failed to gain meaningful traction.

If you already own domains: Don't panic about new competition. A strong .com or established alternative TLD domain won't lose value because of new extensions. If anything, the growing complexity of the namespace makes simple, memorable domains more valuable.

If you're curious about pricing: Check our domain pricing comparison tool to see current prices across registrars and extensions.

The Bottom Line

Nova Registry's plan to apply for 200 new TLDs signals that major players see enormous opportunity in the upcoming ICANN round. The domain namespace is about to get significantly larger.

For everyday domain buyers, this means more choice — but also more noise. The winners will be those who understand the landscape, move early on promising extensions, and don't lose sight of the fundamentals: short, memorable, and relevant domain names will always command value, regardless of the extension.

The next chapter of the internet's naming system is being written right now. Stay informed, and you'll be ready when it launches.

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*Ready to explore domain options? Search domains on DomyDomains — we check availability across hundreds of extensions instantly.*