diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/ubuntu-focal-3e1cc65dade622fc.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/ubuntu-focal-3e1cc65dade622fc.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..081d5dd395
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/ubuntu-focal-3e1cc65dade622fc.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    Ubuntu images now use Focal 20.04 (``ubuntu:20.04``) as the default base
+    image.