Canonical has officially announced the upcoming release of Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed the ‘Resolute Raccoon.’ Set to be launched on April 23, 2026, this release encapsulates themes of resilience, reliability, and problem-solving—a tribute to longtime Ubuntu contributor Steve Langasek, who passed away in January. The codename captures the determined spirit that Langasek embodied.
The release’s standout feature is its mascot design crafted by artist Marcus Haslam. The ‘Resolute Raccoon’ design features a simplistic yet striking black-and-white circular graphic, embodying the essence of the codename. It will be prominently displayed as the default wallpaper, set against a lighter purple gradient in a circular sunburst motif, diverging from the previous sharp geometric styles. This change enhances the contrast and framing, making the mascot more pronounced compared to the earlier Plucky Puffin wallpaper.
Along with the mascot wallpaper, Canonical organized a community competition that generated nearly 200 submissions with thousands of community votes. Selected community wallpapers in the categories of mascot, digital/abstract, and photography will accompany the release, adding diversity to user options.
Ubuntu 26.04 ‘Resolute Raccoon’ has recently reached its fourth and final monthly test phase with Snapshot 4 now available for download. This snapshot marks the end of the feature freeze phase that began last week and includes Linux kernel 6.19 alongside many GNOME 50 beta components. The final steps before the official release involve a UI freeze on March 12, the beta release on March 26, and a kernel freeze targeting Linux 7.0 by April 9.
With these developments, Ubuntu continues to build anticipation towards the unveiling of the ‘Resolute Raccoon,’ poised to offer a robust and visually striking platform for its users.

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Canonical has announced Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, codenamed 'Resolute Raccoon,' scheduled for release on April 23, 2026. The codename honors longtime Ubuntu contributor Steve Langasek. Key highlights include a new mascot design by artist Marcus Haslam featuring a black-and-white circular graphic as the default wallpaper, plus nearly 200 community wallpaper submissions. The release has reached its fourth and final monthly test snapshot, which includes Linux kernel 6.19 and GNOME 50 beta components. Upcoming milestones include a UI freeze on March 12, beta release on March 26, and a kernel freeze targeting Linux 7.0 by April 9.

Introducing the Resolute Raccoon: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS

let’s say, love the name eh? tough critter lol