Upcoming TLDs / .pop
Can you register a .pop domain?
Source: ICANN 2026 round applications, checked October 27, 2026. Not in the IANA root zone as of October 26, 2026.
What .pop would mean
In their own words, from the public part of each application (question 118):
A short form of the English word "popular", as in "Pop Music" or "Pop Culture"
Short for "popular", it can represent Popular, Pop Culture, Point of Purchase (POP), and Pop-up experiences, making it an ideal top-level domain for branding, entertainment, retail, creative industries, and trend-driven businesses.
to make a short, quick, explosive sound.
a sudden sound
Popular culture or popular music; it can also describe a short, sudden sound.
"Pop" is an informal term meaning popular or relating to popular culture, especially music, entertainment, and mainstream trends. It also denotes a short, sharp sound or a sudden, brief appearance.
relating to popular culture, mainstream trends, or what is widely liked and accepted by the general public.
Pop commonly refers to a broadly recognized term used across a wide range of contexts.
POP is a short, sudden sound. It is also short for popular, especially in music and culture, and can mean a fizzy drink. Three letters with plenty of snap.
Who applied for .pop
Aruba PEC S.P.A.
IT, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
The mission and purpose of the applied-for .pop gTLD is to provide a short, energetic namespace built around popular culture, popular music, and the wider idea of what pops: what stands out, appears suddenly, and catches attention. "Pop" is one of the most internationally recognisable short words in English, carried around the world by pop music and pop culture, including regional scenes such as K-pop, established in commerce through pop-up shops and pop-up events, and literal in food and drink, where things pop, fizz, and snap. Intended registrants include musicians, DJs, bands, labels, and …
Beijing Guoxu Network Technology Co., Ltd.
CN, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
1. Mission and Objectives of the .POP TLD
Knock Knock WHOIS There, LLC
US, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
We hold this truth at the center of our mission: content is valuable. When you publish online—whatever you publish—you are adding something to the world, and that contribution deserves a home you control. Owning your domain means you're not at the whims of an ever-changing algorithm; it's a claim of ownership, independence, and authenticity. Every top-level domain we operate is built on that principle: a meaningful, memorable namespace that marks your corner of the internet as unmistakably your own, in essays, images, music, videos, storefronts, and whatever comes next.
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.
ShortDot (Ireland) Limited
IE, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
The mission of .pop is to provide an energetic namespace for music, entertainment, media, popular culture, consumer brands, artists and creative communities.
Registry Services, LLC
US, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
1. Describe the mission and purpose of the applied-for gTLD.
NETDREAM PTE. LTD.
SG, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
1. Mission and Objectives
Vanity Check, LLC
US, stage: Pre-Evaluation Processing
The mission of .POP is to provide a namespace associated with the applied-for string. The .POP 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 .pop 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 .pop and its registry announces launch dates.