diff --git a/diskimage_builder/elements/fedora-minimal/environment.d/10-fedora-distro-name.bash b/diskimage_builder/elements/fedora-minimal/environment.d/10-fedora-distro-name.bash
index 0ffbc4f4..b044581a 100644
--- a/diskimage_builder/elements/fedora-minimal/environment.d/10-fedora-distro-name.bash
+++ b/diskimage_builder/elements/fedora-minimal/environment.d/10-fedora-distro-name.bash
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 export DISTRO_NAME=fedora
-export DIB_RELEASE=${DIB_RELEASE:-25}
+export DIB_RELEASE=${DIB_RELEASE:-26}
diff --git a/diskimage_builder/elements/fedora/environment.d/10-fedora-distro-name.bash b/diskimage_builder/elements/fedora/environment.d/10-fedora-distro-name.bash
index 0ffbc4f4..b044581a 100644
--- a/diskimage_builder/elements/fedora/environment.d/10-fedora-distro-name.bash
+++ b/diskimage_builder/elements/fedora/environment.d/10-fedora-distro-name.bash
@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
 export DISTRO_NAME=fedora
-export DIB_RELEASE=${DIB_RELEASE:-25}
+export DIB_RELEASE=${DIB_RELEASE:-26}
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/fedora26-690b9fd9ac3c3d4f.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/fedora26-690b9fd9ac3c3d4f.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..faea6448
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/fedora26-690b9fd9ac3c3d4f.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+upgrade:
+  - The ``fedora-minimal`` and ``fedora`` elements have been updated
+    to default to Fedora 26.  Note if you to pin to specific versions,
+    be sure to specify ``DIB_RELEASE``.