diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
index dbac50bbb..7d7ab1a54 100644
--- a/DESCRIPTION
+++ b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 Package: mlr3
 Title: Machine Learning in R - Next Generation
-Version: 0.17.2.9000
+Version: 0.18.0
 Authors@R:
   c(
     person("Michel", "Lang", , "michellang@gmail.com", role = c("cre", "aut"),
diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index 6ddaf4dd6..077960a73 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# mlr3 (development version)
+# mlr3 0.18.0
 
 * Prepare compatibility with new paradox version.
 * feat: dictionary conversion of `mlr_learners` respects prototype arguments