Upcoming TLDs / .labs
Can you register a .labs domain?
Source: ICANN 2026 round applications, checked October 27, 2026. Not in the IANA root zone as of October 26, 2026.
What .labs would mean
In their own words, from the public part of each application (question 118):
The dictionary definition of 'labs' is the plural of 'lab', a common shortening of 'laboratory'. The term is also widely used by organizations to designate innovation units, research divisions, and experimental projects
research or development facilities
"Labs" is the plural of "lab," short for laboratory: a place or facility equipped for scientific experimentation, research, testing, or development.
"Labs" is the plural of "lab," the common short form of "laboratory": a place equipped for scientific experimentation or research, and by extension a team or unit devoted to research, experimentation, and innovation.
Labs commonly refer to places, environments, or initiatives dedicated to innovation and the creation of new ideas, technologies, or solutions.
LABS is the plural of lab: places or teams devoted to research, testing, experimentation and development. Where ideas are tested before they change the world.
Who applied for .labs
Dot Digital Networks Pte. Ltd.
SG, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
The .labs gTLD will provide a dedicated and easily recognizable online space for innovation, research, and experimentation across the open internet. It is intended for anyone building or exploring what comes next: independent creators, developers, startups, research teams, established companies, educational institutions, and communities that want a clear, meaningful identity for experimental or forward‑looking work.
Application DDNP2635T-T57777 on ICANN · dotdigitalnetworks.com
Link Freedom Group / LFG
Link Freedom Group Ltd, MT, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
Link Freedom Group (LFG) aspires to become a best-in-class, vertically integrated domain name registration authority, see linkfreedomgroup.link. This TLD is part of a carefully curated portfolio of strings that LFG intends to pursue in ICANN’s 2026 New gTLD Program. In assembling this portfolio, LFG focused on securing meaningful, memorable, and commercially compelling strings that resonate strongly with end users and offer long-term growth potential.
Registry Services, LLC
US, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
1. Mission and Purpose of the Applied-for gTLD
Radix Technologies Inc SEZC
Radix Technologies Inc SEZC, KY, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
1. Mission and purpose: The mission of .labs is to provide a namespace for the teams and organizations that build and experiment, reflecting the "Labs" naming convention now standard across technology and business. Intended registrants include startups and technology companies branded with "Labs"; corporate innovation and R&D units; research groups, studios, makerspaces and educational programs. Intended users are the customers, partners, researchers and communities that engage with these organizations globally. Following delegation, the applicant will, as registry operator of the .labs TLD, …
Hair Apparent, LLC
US, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
The mission of .LABS is to provide a namespace associated with the concept of labs as places, environments, or initiatives dedicated to innovation and the creation of new ideas, technologies, or solutions. The .LABS gTLD is intended to serve a broad range of registrants and users, including individuals, businesses, organizations, communities, projects, and other entities that identify with, relate to, or wish to be associated with the concept represented by the applied-for string.
XYZ.COM LLC
US, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
1. Mission and purpose. This gTLD will be operated as an open, unrestricted generic top-level domain. Its purpose is to expand naming choice in the DNS by making this term available at the top level for any lawful use chosen by the registrant. Registrations will be available to all registrants on a first-come, first-served basis through ICANN-accredited registrars, subject only to the Registry Agreement, ICANN Consensus Policies, and applicable law. The applicant will not operate this gTLD on an exclusive basis.
What happens next
- April 30, 2026: Application window opened (done)
- August 12, 2026: Application window closed (done)
- October 7, 2026: Reveal Day: ICANN published every applied-for string (done)
- October 21, 2026: Replacement period ended (applicants could switch to a backup string) (done)
- November 17, 2026: String Confirmation Day: the final list of applied-for strings
- March 16, 2027: Community input and objections period ends
Dates from ICANN’s Reveal Day announcement, checked October 27, 2026. We re-check the applications every day and this page changes when they do.
When will .labs be available?
ICANN has not set a date. The final list of applied-for strings comes on String Confirmation Day (November 17, 2026), community input and objections run until March 16, 2027, and ICANN processes applications after a prioritization draw in 2027. Registration opens only after ICANN delegates .labs and its registry announces launch dates.