diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 82b165030f4..78fa0e9f008 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 MAJOR = 2
-MINOR = 6
-PATCH = 0
+MINOR = 7
+PATCH = 0-rc1
 # A specific DATE (YYYY-MM-DD) fixes an official release, otherwise
 # it is considered Development version.
-DATE  = 2023-07-10
+DATE  = 2024-03-13