diff --git a/CHANGES b/CHANGES
index ad6099495b..600b10f7cf 100644
--- a/CHANGES
+++ b/CHANGES
@@ -1,3 +1,7 @@
+8.0.0-rc2 | 2025-08-12 12:42:54 -0700
+
+  * Release 8.0.0-rc2.
+
 8.0.0-rc1.6 | 2025-08-12 12:41:33 -0700
 
   * Bump pre-commit hooks (Benjamin Bannier, Corelight)
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 6ff4ead650..e31a4cb90a 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-8.0.0-rc1.6
+8.0.0-rc2