diff --git a/ibllib/__init__.py b/ibllib/__init__.py
index 79d4d537a..4e328ee70 100644
--- a/ibllib/__init__.py
+++ b/ibllib/__init__.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 import logging
 import warnings
 
-__version__ = '2.25.2'
+__version__ = '2.26'
 warnings.filterwarnings('always', category=DeprecationWarning, module='ibllib')
 
 # if this becomes a full-blown library we should let the logging configuration to the discretion of the dev
diff --git a/release_notes.md b/release_notes.md
index 3e74a481a..2f93201dc 100644
--- a/release_notes.md
+++ b/release_notes.md
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-## Develop
+## Release Notes 2.26
+
 ### features
 - Deprecate ibllib.atlas. Code now contained in package iblatlas