diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7cd5dd59bd7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/release.md
@@ -0,0 +1,86 @@
+---
+
+name: Pre-Release Issue Template for Developers
+about: For Developers Only - Should be used when Preparing for a release to make sure no tasks are missed during the build-up for a release
+title: 'FOR DEVELOPERS: Mantid Imaging [V.V.V] Pre-Release'
+labels: 'Release 🚀'
+assignees: ''
+
+---
+
+## Description
+
+As part of preparations for the release of Mantid Imaging version [**VERSION***], the following tasks need to be completed.
+
+
+## High Priority Bugs
+<!-- Make sure any high priority bugs which are found during smoke testing are resolved -->
+- [ ] [High priority bugs](https://github.com/mantidproject/mantidimaging/issues?)
+
+
+## Create release branch  
+- [ ] Create branch from main named release-x.x.x  
+- [ ] Check that branch protection rules are being applied  
+
+
+## Version Update PR
+<!-- Update version references to version [**VERSION**] in the following locations (Update versions within `docs/release_notes/index.rst` as a separate PR updating release notes - See "Update Release Notes PR"). -->
+
+**PR:**
+- [ ] `CITATION.cff`
+    - Version: `version: "V.V.V"`
+    - Release Date: `date-released: YYYY-MM-DD`
+- [ ] `docs/_templates/versioning.html`
+    - Version: Under `<h3>{{ _('Versions') }}</h3>`
+- [ ] `docs/conf.py`
+    - Release Date:
+    - Version: `release = 'V.V.V<tag>'` (alpha/beta/rc)
+    - Version: `smv_tag_whitelist = r'^(2.3.0|2.4.0|2.5.0|2.6.0|2.7.0)$'`
+- [ ] `docs/index.rst`
+    - Year: update year within Citation if out of date
+    - Version: update version within Citation
+
+
+## Authors PR (if required)
+<!--  Make sure list of authors remains in alphabetical order by surname -->
+
+**PR:**
+- [ ] `CITATION.cff`
+- [ ] `docs/conf.py`
+- [ ] `docs/index.rst`
+
+
+## Release Notes PR
+<!-- Update release notes for new version and format "next" release notes -->
+
+**PR:**
+- [ ] Compile Release Notes using the following command `python setup.py release_notes` - Copy output and place in new file `docs/release_notes/<V.V.rst>`
+- [ ] Add newest version under "next": `docs/release_notes/index.rst`
+- [ ] Delete all release notes within: `docs/release_notes/next/`
+
+
+## Create Release
+
+- [ ] Create release from tag (See internal docs for how to do this)
+
+
+## Move IDAaas to Stable Branch
+
+- [ ] IDAaaS - move stable branch (See internal docs for how to do this)
+
+
+## Update Versions on Main
+
+- [ ] Versions on main
+    - Tag commit as alpha for next release (e.g. after releasing V.V)
+    - Once merged checkout main and run `git describe ` to check if the tag is part of the history (See internal docs for additional info)
+
+
+## Windows NSIS Installer
+ - [ ] Build Windows NSIS Installer (See internal docs for how to do this)
+
+
+### Additional Info
+<!-- Add any additional information below related to the release which may be useful t ou or the reviewer -->
+
+