diff --git a/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.18.rst b/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.18.rst
index a9b9cce9605..039e9b79fa4 100644
--- a/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.18.rst
+++ b/changelogs/CHANGELOG-v2.18.rst
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ ansible-core 2.18 "Fool in the Rain" Release Notes
 
 .. contents:: Topics
 
-v2.18.8rc1
-==========
+v2.18.8
+=======
 
 Release Summary
 ---------------
 
-| Release Date: 2025-08-04
+| Release Date: 2025-08-11
 | `Porting Guide <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible-core/2.18/porting_guides/porting_guide_core_2.18.html>`__
 
 Minor Changes
diff --git a/changelogs/changelog.yaml b/changelogs/changelog.yaml
index 268d9a1fdec..b525465d6ce 100644
--- a/changelogs/changelog.yaml
+++ b/changelogs/changelog.yaml
@@ -909,6 +909,17 @@ releases:
     - pull_changed_fix.yml
     - user_passphrase.yml
     release_date: '2025-07-08'
+  2.18.8:
+    changes:
+      release_summary: '| Release Date: 2025-08-11
+
+        | `Porting Guide <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible-core/2.18/porting_guides/porting_guide_core_2.18.html>`__
+
+        '
+    codename: Fool in the Rain
+    fragments:
+    - 2.18.8_summary.yaml
+    release_date: '2025-08-11'
   2.18.8rc1:
     changes:
       bugfixes:
diff --git a/changelogs/fragments/2.18.8_summary.yaml b/changelogs/fragments/2.18.8_summary.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..053ab0b8a6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelogs/fragments/2.18.8_summary.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+release_summary: |
+   | Release Date: 2025-08-11
+   | `Porting Guide <https://docs.ansible.com/ansible-core/2.18/porting_guides/porting_guide_core_2.18.html>`__
diff --git a/lib/ansible/release.py b/lib/ansible/release.py
index 66b95a86eec..d88ec2d919a 100644
--- a/lib/ansible/release.py
+++ b/lib/ansible/release.py
@@ -17,6 +17,6 @@
 
 from __future__ import annotations
 
-__version__ = '2.18.8rc1.post0'
+__version__ = '2.18.8'
 __author__ = 'Ansible, Inc.'
 __codename__ = "Fool in the Rain"