diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/drop-py39-8a9c99678b3e8eeb.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/drop-py39-8a9c99678b3e8eeb.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..ae0895635
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/drop-py39-8a9c99678b3e8eeb.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+upgrade:
+  - |
+    Watcher now requires python 3.10 or newer.
+    The last release of watcher to support ``3.9`` was ``2025.1``.
+    Please ensure you have a supported python version before upgrading.
diff --git a/setup.cfg b/setup.cfg
index a26f7d012..406555a2a 100644
--- a/setup.cfg
+++ b/setup.cfg
@@ -6,8 +6,7 @@ description_file =
 author = OpenStack
 author_email = openstack-discuss@lists.openstack.org
 home_page = https://docs.openstack.org/watcher/latest/
-# TODO(sean-k-mooney): bump to >= 3.10 before m3.
-python_requires = >=3.9
+python_requires = >=3.10
 classifier =
     Environment :: OpenStack
     Intended Audience :: Information Technology