diff --git a/ironic/conf/default.py b/ironic/conf/default.py
index dc48e59f77..1399b4f2e2 100644
--- a/ironic/conf/default.py
+++ b/ironic/conf/default.py
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ driver_opts = [
     cfg.StrOpt('default_bios_interface',
                help=_DEFAULT_IFACE_HELP.format('bios')),
     cfg.ListOpt('enabled_boot_interfaces',
-                default=['pxe', 'redfish-virtual-media'],
+                default=['ipxe', 'pxe', 'redfish-virtual-media'],
                 help=_ENABLED_IFACE_HELP.format('boot')),
     cfg.StrOpt('default_boot_interface',
                help=_DEFAULT_IFACE_HELP.format('boot')),
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/ipxe-default-628380290fbdbab6.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/ipxe-default-628380290fbdbab6.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d5811883f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/ipxe-default-628380290fbdbab6.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+---
+features:
+  - |
+    The ``ipxe`` boot interface is now enabled by default.
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    The ``ipxe`` boot interface is now enabled and will have priority over
+    ``pxe`` by default. If you rely on the default value of the
+    ``enabled_boot_interfaces`` option to not contain ``ipxe``, you need to set
+    it explicitly.