diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index b5da7d53bd..5bc51cc953 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,54 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## [v1.18.0-rc](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.18.0-rc) (2021-10-05)
+
+[Full Changelog](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/compare/v1.17.0...v1.18.0-rc)
+
+**Breaking changes:**
+
+- Allow the ports for gRPC and REST to be configured for the allocator service [\#2272](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2272) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
+
+**Implemented enhancements:**
+
+- Skip volume mounts in the allocator pod if TLS on mTLS is disabled [\#2276](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/2276)
+- Allow the allocator service to use the go http/2 server [\#2263](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/2263)
+- Move RollingUpdateOnReady to Stable [\#2239](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/2239)
+- Explain how namespace parameter works for allocations [\#2090](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/2090)
+- Proposal: provide allocator-client.default secret in gameserver namespace [\#1686](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/1686)
+- Game Server Allocation advanced filtering: player count, state, reallocation [\#1239](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/1239)
+- Skip the secrets and volume mounts in the allocator pod when they aren't needed [\#2277](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2277) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
+- Move RollingUpdateOnReady to stable [\#2271](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2271) ([Jeffwan](https://github.com/Jeffwan))
+- Docs: High Density Integration Pattern [\#2270](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2270) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Docs: Integration Pattern - Reusing GameServers [\#2251](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2251) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Support graceful termination [\#2205](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2205) ([bennetty](https://github.com/bennetty))
+
+**Fixed bugs:**
+
+- Can't apply fleetautoscaler on 1.17.0 [\#2253](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/2253)
+- Unblock CI: Ignore rolltable link for testing [\#2269](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2269) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Separate the Helm value for the allocator service name from its service account name [\#2268](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2268) ([rcreasey](https://github.com/rcreasey))
+
+**Closed issues:**
+
+- Release 1.17.0 [\#2244](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/2244)
+
+**Merged pull requests:**
+
+- Unblock CI: Ignore afterverse link for testing [\#2289](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2289) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
+- Update the link to look for issues for the release. [\#2287](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2287) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
+- docs: remove --node-ami auto for managed nodegroups [\#2285](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2285) ([SpringMT](https://github.com/SpringMT))
+- Ignore SDK CPP build directory [\#2284](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2284) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Test for extended allocation metadata characters [\#2283](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2283) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Minor cleanup on reserved diagram [\#2281](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2281) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Fix a link on the FAQ that was pointed at localhost [\#2275](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2275) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
+- Update the helm template command to match what is used in `make gen-install`. [\#2265](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2265) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
+- Fix typo [\#2260](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2260) ([paulhkim80](https://github.com/paulhkim80))
+- Remove GOPATH from development guide [\#2259](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2259) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Create examples.md [\#2258](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2258) ([paulhkim80](https://github.com/paulhkim80))
+- Explain how namespaces work with allocations [\#2257](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2257) ([eminguyen](https://github.com/eminguyen))
+- \[docs\] fix create gameserver args [\#2254](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2254) ([karamaru-alpha](https://github.com/karamaru-alpha))
+- Preparation for 1.18.0 [\#2250](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2250) ([cindy52](https://github.com/cindy52))
+
 ## [v1.17.0](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.17.0) (2021-09-01)
 
 [Full Changelog](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/compare/v1.17.0-rc...v1.17.0)
@@ -15,6 +64,7 @@
 
 **Merged pull requests:**
 
+- Release/1.17.0 [\#2247](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2247) ([cindy52](https://github.com/cindy52))
 - release 1.17.0 [\#2245](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2245) ([cindy52](https://github.com/cindy52))
 
 ## [v1.17.0-rc](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.17.0-rc) (2021-08-26)
@@ -155,6 +205,7 @@
 - Fix Network Security Group Gameserver rule not applied on AKS cluster [\#2124](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2124) ([WeetA34](https://github.com/WeetA34))
 - Update the doscy theme [\#2123](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2123) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 - Adds the Missing TCP protocol spec to the example fleet [\#2122](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2122) ([Rohansjamadagni](https://github.com/Rohansjamadagni))
+- Release 1.15.0-rc [\#2121](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2121) ([sawagh](https://github.com/sawagh))
 - Change the way we generate new version numbers for nodejs [\#2120](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2120) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 
 ## [v1.15.0](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.15.0) (2021-06-08)
@@ -196,7 +247,6 @@
 
 **Merged pull requests:**
 
-- Release 1.15.0-rc [\#2121](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2121) ([sawagh](https://github.com/sawagh))
 - Update link to contributing guide from the membership template. [\#2118](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2118) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 - Update our community membership guidelines to add a Releaser role. [\#2111](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2111) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 - Respectful code cleanup No.2 [\#2109](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2109) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
@@ -211,7 +261,7 @@
 - Minor updates to the release checklist. [\#2080](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2080) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 - Prep for the 1.15.0 release. [\#2079](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2079) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 - Documenting unity SDK functionality [\#2076](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2076) ([domgreen](https://github.com/domgreen))
-- Add table for all implemented SDK for Unreal [\#2074](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2074) ([domgreen](https://github.com/domgreen))
+- Add Netspeak Games logo [\#2073](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2073) ([domgreen](https://github.com/domgreen))
 - Rename MetaPatch to Metadata for AllocationRequest [\#2070](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2070) ([lambertwang](https://github.com/lambertwang))
 
 ## [v1.14.0](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.14.0) (2021-04-28)
@@ -238,7 +288,7 @@
 **Merged pull requests:**
 
 - Release 1.14.0 [\#2078](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2078) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
-- Add Netspeak Games logo [\#2073](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2073) ([domgreen](https://github.com/domgreen))
+- Add table for all implemented SDK for Unreal [\#2074](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2074) ([domgreen](https://github.com/domgreen))
 - Suppress the long shell command to test for a file existence so that [\#2072](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2072) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 - Updates to the release checklist, based on cutting my first release candidate. [\#2068](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2068) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 
@@ -478,6 +528,7 @@
 - Agones Game Server Client SDKs [\#1854](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/1854)
 - Pin the postcss-cli version [\#1930](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1930) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Oops, k8s-api shortcode only pointed at one URL [\#1924](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1924) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Updates to the release template [\#1887](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1887) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 
 **Security fixes:**
 
@@ -514,7 +565,6 @@
 - helm install fails since helm3 requires a name [\#1886](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/1886)
 - Fix formatting on the 1.10 blog post. [\#1889](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1889) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 - Fix GameServer count per type graph back to pie [\#1888](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1888) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
-- Updates to the release template [\#1887](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1887) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 
 **Closed issues:**
 
@@ -699,7 +749,6 @@
 - Helm default values in docs \(related to controller limits\) match chart default values [\#1755](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1755) ([pgilfillan](https://github.com/pgilfillan))
 - Best practices for game server shutdown [\#1752](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1752) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Remove Deployment Manager from build/ [\#1750](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1750) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
-- Add note on GKE cluster versions [\#1743](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1743) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 
 ## [v1.8.0-rc](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.8.0-rc) (2020-08-11)
 
@@ -757,6 +806,7 @@
 **Merged pull requests:**
 
 - Release 1.8.0 Release Candidate [\#1746](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1746) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Add note on GKE cluster versions [\#1743](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1743) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Switch gcloud-test-cluster to Terraform [\#1738](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1738) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Added several tests for metrics package [\#1735](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1735) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
 - Tests update: gameserversets-controllers added missing test cases [\#1727](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1727) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
@@ -836,6 +886,7 @@
 - Grafana - add namespace to distinguish fleets with the same name [\#1597](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1597) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
 - C\# SDK Cleanup & Nuget Package [\#1596](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1596) ([rcreasey](https://github.com/rcreasey))
 - Adding AccelByte in Companies using Agones list [\#1593](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1593) ([accelbyte-raymond](https://github.com/accelbyte-raymond))
+- Metrics: add namespace to distinguish fleets with the same name [\#1585](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1585) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
 - Move ContainerPortAllocation to beta [\#1577](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1577) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
 - New metric - state duration [\#1468](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1468) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 
@@ -897,16 +948,11 @@
 - CI: Add one more E2E tests run with all feature gates disabled [\#1546](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1546) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Improved fleetautoscalers - fleetautoscalers\_test.go unit tests + applyWebhookPolicy refactoring [\#1531](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1531) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
 - Update Debian image version for SDK base [\#1511](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1511) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
-- Release 1.5.0 [\#1473](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1473) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 
 ## [v1.6.0](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.6.0) (2020-05-26)
 
 [Full Changelog](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/compare/v1.6.0-rc...v1.6.0)
 
-**Implemented enhancements:**
-
-- Metrics: add namespace to distinguish fleets with the same name [\#1585](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1585) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
-
 **Fixed bugs:**
 
 - Fix the Unreal Plugin's GetGameServer [\#1581](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1581) ([dotcom](https://github.com/dotcom))
@@ -920,6 +966,7 @@
 - Release 1.6.0 [\#1588](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1588) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Fix flaky Local SDK test [\#1586](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1586) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Warning to release checklist. [\#1580](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1580) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Release 1.6.0-rc [\#1574](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1574) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 
 ## [v1.6.0-rc](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.6.0-rc) (2020-05-20)
 
@@ -1004,7 +1051,6 @@
 
 **Merged pull requests:**
 
-- Release 1.6.0-rc [\#1574](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1574) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Fix Local SDK nil Players with test [\#1572](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1572) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Fixed a typo sercerCA -\> serverCa [\#1567](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1567) ([pooneh-m](https://github.com/pooneh-m))
 - Player Tracking Proto: Players =\> players [\#1560](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1560) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
@@ -1061,6 +1107,7 @@
 
 **Merged pull requests:**
 
+- Release 1.5.0 [\#1473](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1473) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Website: A number of corrections in the docs [\#1466](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1466) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Website: Fix path in swagger command [\#1462](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1462) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Use go modules for a website and update go version [\#1457](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1457) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
@@ -1138,11 +1185,11 @@
 - Switch godoc.org links to pkg.go.dev [\#1394](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1394) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Fixed mangled lists in C++ guide  [\#1393](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1393) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
 - Preparation for 1.5.0 Release [\#1391](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1391) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Update terraform EKS module to 1.14 version [\#1386](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1386) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - AKS use supported version of Kubernetes 1.14 [\#1385](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1385) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Fix for AKS recent provider change [\#1380](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1380) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Terraform make targets: Switch from the plane structure to module terraform config [\#1375](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1375) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Separate e2e tests in build Makefile [\#1371](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1371) ([drichardson](https://github.com/drichardson))
-- Updated log levels in pkg [\#1359](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1359) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
 
 ## [v1.4.0](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.4.0) (2020-03-04)
 
@@ -1165,7 +1212,6 @@
 **Merged pull requests:**
 
 - Release 1.4.0 [\#1388](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1388) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
-- Update terraform EKS module to 1.14 version [\#1386](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1386) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Removed dockerfile from build-allocation-images [\#1382](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1382) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
 - Fix the link to cert.sh [\#1381](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1381) ([pooneh-m](https://github.com/pooneh-m))
 - Add crd-client image to release template [\#1378](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1378) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
@@ -1173,6 +1219,7 @@
 - Main page, gameserver lifecycle page - typos [\#1369](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1369) ([burningalchemist](https://github.com/burningalchemist))
 - Documented an approach of log levels usage [\#1368](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1368) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
 - UE4 readme to communicate development information [\#1360](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1360) ([drichardson](https://github.com/drichardson))
+- Updated log levels in pkg [\#1359](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1359) ([akremsa](https://github.com/akremsa))
 
 ## [v1.4.0-rc](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.4.0-rc) (2020-02-26)
 
@@ -1259,6 +1306,7 @@
 - Preparation for 1.4.0 Sprint [\#1291](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1291) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - CPP SDK example code: join threads [\#1283](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1283) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Conformance test for CPP SDK [\#1282](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1282) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
+- Need to change to https url on swagger-codegen download [\#1278](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1278) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 
 ## [v1.3.0](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/v1.3.0) (2020-01-21)
 
@@ -1276,7 +1324,6 @@
 
 - Release 1.3.0 [\#1289](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1289) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Nodejs docs: require for npm should switch on 1.3.0 [\#1284](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1284) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
-- Need to change to https url on swagger-codegen download [\#1278](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1278) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Release publishing of NPM module [\#1277](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1277) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Fix list formatting on the terraform install page. [\#1274](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1274) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 
@@ -1537,7 +1584,6 @@
 **Security fixes:**
 
 - Ran `npm audit fix` to update package dependencies. [\#1097](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1097) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
-- Bump eslint-utils from 1.4.0 to 1.4.2 in /sdks/nodejs [\#1014](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1014) ([dependabot[bot]](https://github.com/apps/dependabot))
 
 **Closed issues:**
 
@@ -1605,6 +1651,10 @@
 - Fleet Image Edit causes an infinite create/destroy loop [\#975](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/975)
 - Fix the required version of terraform. [\#1006](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1006) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 
+**Security fixes:**
+
+- Bump eslint-utils from 1.4.0 to 1.4.2 in /sdks/nodejs [\#1014](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/1014) ([dependabot[bot]](https://github.com/apps/dependabot))
+
 **Closed issues:**
 
 - Release 0.12.0 [\#982](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/982)
@@ -1719,7 +1769,6 @@
 - Fix minikube developer experience [\#898](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/898) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Fix timeout on Terraform Helm install agones step [\#890](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/890) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Flaky: TestGameServerPassthroughPort [\#863](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/863) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
-- Fix Down Scale on RollingUpdate [\#802](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/802) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 
 **Security fixes:**
 
@@ -1842,6 +1891,7 @@
 - GS Shutdown sdk calls sometimes failed/timeout and leave Gameservers behind [\#624](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/624)
 - Adding apiGroup to roleRef for gameservice-allocator [\#825](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/825) ([pooneh-m](https://github.com/pooneh-m))
 - Add ShutdownReplicas count [\#810](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/810) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
+- Fix Down Scale on RollingUpdate [\#802](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/802) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Fix publishDate on unreal docs [\#793](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/793) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Flaky: TestAllocator [\#789](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/789) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
 - Prevent race conditions by syncing node cache on GameServer controller [\#782](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/782) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
@@ -2030,6 +2080,7 @@
 - Adding a section in the documentation about deploying Agones using GCP Marketplace. [\#664](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/664) ([bbf](https://github.com/bbf))
 - Add Agones Kubernetes API docs generator [\#645](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/645) ([aLekSer](https://github.com/aLekSer))
 - Added support for persisting logs in 'emptyDir' volume attached to agones controller. [\#620](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/620) ([jkowalski](https://github.com/jkowalski))
+- Adding Locust tests - initial changes for \#412 [\#611](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/611) ([pm7h](https://github.com/pm7h))
 - Emit stress test metrics in Fortio format. [\#586](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/586) ([jkowalski](https://github.com/jkowalski))
 - Add Node.js SDK and example - closes \#538 [\#581](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/581) ([steven-supersolid](https://github.com/steven-supersolid))
 - Cpp sdk cmake [\#464](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/464) ([dsazonoff](https://github.com/dsazonoff))
@@ -2122,7 +2173,6 @@
 **Implemented enhancements:**
 
 - Register GameServers with local IP addresses [\#469](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/469)
-- Adding Locust tests - initial changes for \#412 [\#611](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/611) ([pm7h](https://github.com/pm7h))
 
 **Fixed bugs:**
 
diff --git a/install/helm/agones/Chart.yaml b/install/helm/agones/Chart.yaml
index 796ab48959..018c349e46 100644
--- a/install/helm/agones/Chart.yaml
+++ b/install/helm/agones/Chart.yaml
@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@
 # Declare variables to be passed into your templates.
 
 apiVersion: v1
-appVersion: "1.18.0-dev"
-version: 1.18.0-dev
+appVersion: "1.18.0-rc"
+version: 1.18.0-rc
 name: agones
 description: a library for hosting, running and scaling dedicated game servers on Kubernetes.
 keywords:
diff --git a/install/helm/agones/values.yaml b/install/helm/agones/values.yaml
index 910ed40244..16a3d3f910 100644
--- a/install/helm/agones/values.yaml
+++ b/install/helm/agones/values.yaml
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ agones:
     totalRemoteAllocationTimeout: 30s
   image:
     registry: gcr.io/agones-images
-    tag: 1.18.0-dev
+    tag: 1.18.0-rc
     controller:
       name: agones-controller
       pullPolicy: IfNotPresent
diff --git a/install/yaml/install.yaml b/install/yaml/install.yaml
index 1a0e51e9be..3c011cb1a4 100644
--- a/install/yaml/install.yaml
+++ b/install/yaml/install.yaml
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 ---
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 ---
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: default
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 ---
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: "agones-1.18.0-dev"
+    chart: "agones-1.18.0-rc"
     release: "agones-manual"
     heritage: "Helm"
 type: Opaque
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: "agones-1.18.0-dev"
+    chart: "agones-1.18.0-rc"
     release: "agones-manual"
     heritage: "Helm"
 data:
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: "agones-1.18.0-dev"
+    chart: "agones-1.18.0-rc"
     release: "agones-manual"
     heritage: "Helm"
 data:
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: "agones-1.18.0-dev"
+    chart: "agones-1.18.0-rc"
     release: "agones-manual"
     heritage: "Helm"
 data:
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: crd
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -4389,7 +4389,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: crd
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -4530,7 +4530,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: crd
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -8607,7 +8607,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: crd
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
   name: gameserverallocationpolicies.multicluster.agones.dev
@@ -8683,7 +8683,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: crd
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -12893,7 +12893,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 rules:
@@ -12924,7 +12924,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 rules:
@@ -12970,7 +12970,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 rules:
@@ -12990,7 +12990,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 subjects:
@@ -13010,7 +13010,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: agones-system
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 subjects:
@@ -13062,7 +13062,7 @@ metadata:
   namespace: default
   labels:
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 subjects:
@@ -13083,7 +13083,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: ping
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -13105,7 +13105,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: ping
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -13141,7 +13141,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     agones.dev/role: controller
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -13177,7 +13177,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: allocator
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -13213,7 +13213,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: controller
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -13256,7 +13256,7 @@ spec:
       serviceAccountName: agones-controller
       containers:
       - name: agones-controller
-        image: "gcr.io/agones-images/agones-controller:1.18.0-dev"
+        image: "gcr.io/agones-images/agones-controller:1.18.0-rc"
         imagePullPolicy: IfNotPresent
         env:
         # minimum port that can be exposed to GameServer traffic
@@ -13266,7 +13266,7 @@ spec:
         - name: MAX_PORT
           value: "8000"
         - name: SIDECAR_IMAGE # overwrite the GameServer sidecar image that is used
-          value: "gcr.io/agones-images/agones-sdk:1.18.0-dev"
+          value: "gcr.io/agones-images/agones-sdk:1.18.0-rc"
         - name: ALWAYS_PULL_SIDECAR # set the sidecar imagePullPolicy to Always
           value: "false"
         - name: SIDECAR_CPU_REQUEST
@@ -13355,7 +13355,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: ping
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -13390,7 +13390,7 @@ spec:
       priorityClassName: agones-system
       containers:
         - name: agones-ping
-          image: "gcr.io/agones-images/agones-ping:1.18.0-dev"
+          image: "gcr.io/agones-images/agones-ping:1.18.0-rc"
           imagePullPolicy: IfNotPresent
           livenessProbe:
             httpGet:
@@ -13463,7 +13463,7 @@ spec:
           secretName: allocator-client-ca
       containers:
       - name: agones-allocator
-        image: "gcr.io/agones-images/agones-allocator:1.18.0-dev"
+        image: "gcr.io/agones-images/agones-allocator:1.18.0-rc"
         imagePullPolicy: IfNotPresent
         livenessProbe:
           httpGet:
@@ -13535,7 +13535,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: controller
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 spec:
@@ -13571,7 +13571,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: controller
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 webhooks:
@@ -13623,7 +13623,7 @@ metadata:
   labels:
     component: controller
     app: agones
-    chart: agones-1.18.0-dev
+    chart: agones-1.18.0-rc
     release: agones-manual
     heritage: Helm
 webhooks:
diff --git a/sdks/csharp/sdk/AgonesSDK.nuspec b/sdks/csharp/sdk/AgonesSDK.nuspec
index b5c4fbe59d..816119edd9 100644
--- a/sdks/csharp/sdk/AgonesSDK.nuspec
+++ b/sdks/csharp/sdk/AgonesSDK.nuspec
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 <package >
   <metadata>
     <id>AgonesSDK</id>
-    <version>1.18.0-dev</version>
+    <version>1.18.0-rc</version>
     <authors>Google LLC</authors>
     <owners>Google LLC</owners>
     <requireLicenseAcceptance>false</requireLicenseAcceptance>
diff --git a/sdks/csharp/sdk/csharp-sdk.csproj b/sdks/csharp/sdk/csharp-sdk.csproj
index a517faa23f..b3897d6310 100644
--- a/sdks/csharp/sdk/csharp-sdk.csproj
+++ b/sdks/csharp/sdk/csharp-sdk.csproj
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
     <PackageProjectUrl>https://agones.dev</PackageProjectUrl>
     <PackageLicenseUrl>http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0</PackageLicenseUrl>
     <AssemblyName>AgonesSDK</AssemblyName>
-    <Version>1.18.0-dev</Version>
+    <Version>1.18.0-rc</Version>
     <PackageTags>agones, googleforgames, kuberenetes, multiplayer, gameservers</PackageTags>
     <Company>agones.dev</Company>
     <Configurations>Debug;Release;DebugProtoGen</Configurations>
diff --git a/sdks/nodejs/package-lock.json b/sdks/nodejs/package-lock.json
index b799558e86..212a9da6cc 100644
--- a/sdks/nodejs/package-lock.json
+++ b/sdks/nodejs/package-lock.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@google-cloud/agones-sdk",
-  "version": "1.18.0-dev",
+  "version": "1.18.0-rc",
   "lockfileVersion": 1,
   "requires": true,
   "dependencies": {
diff --git a/sdks/nodejs/package.json b/sdks/nodejs/package.json
index dff60a8ea4..a184b53136 100644
--- a/sdks/nodejs/package.json
+++ b/sdks/nodejs/package.json
@@ -26,5 +26,5 @@
     "publishConfig": {
         "access": "public"
     },
-    "version": "1.18.0-dev"
+    "version": "1.18.0-rc"
 }
diff --git a/site/content/en/blog/releases/1.17.0.md b/site/content/en/blog/releases/1.17.0.md
index f39ac53ced..6677327b56 100644
--- a/site/content/en/blog/releases/1.17.0.md
+++ b/site/content/en/blog/releases/1.17.0.md
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ New functionality highlights in this release include:
 * Added a new property to Fleet Autoscaler for supporting custom sync interval (alpha).
 * Advanced allocation filters, including player capacity and game server state (alpha).
 
-Check the <a href="https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/release-1.17.0" data-proofer-ignore>README</a> for details on features, installation and usage.
+Check the <a href="https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/release-1.17.0">README</a> for details on features, installation and usage.
 
 **Breaking changes:**
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ Check the <a href="https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/release-1.17.0"
 - Update dev dependencies and audit fix security warning [\#2233](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2233) ([steven-supersolid](https://github.com/steven-supersolid))
 - Update github.com/gorilla/websocket to address CVE-2020-27813. [\#2195](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2195) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
 
-See <a href="https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/blob/release-1.17.0/CHANGELOG.md" data-proofer-ignore>CHANGELOG</a> for more details on changes.
+See <a href="https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/blob/release-1.17.0/CHANGELOG.md">CHANGELOG</a> for more details on changes.
 
 Images available with this release:
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ Images available with this release:
 
 Helm chart available with this release:
 
-- <a href="https://agones.dev/chart/stable/agones-1.17.0.tgz" data-proofer-ignore>
+- <a href="https://agones.dev/chart/stable/agones-1.17.0.tgz">
   <code>helm install agones agones/agones --version 1.17.0</code></a>
 
-> Make sure to add our stable helm repository using `helm repo add agones https://agones.dev/chart/stable`
\ No newline at end of file
+> Make sure to add our stable helm repository using `helm repo add agones https://agones.dev/chart/stable`
diff --git a/site/content/en/blog/releases/1.18.0-rc.md b/site/content/en/blog/releases/1.18.0-rc.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..fe29f47003
--- /dev/null
+++ b/site/content/en/blog/releases/1.18.0-rc.md
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+---
+title: "1.18.0 - Release Candidate"
+linkTitle: "1.18.0-rc"
+date: "2021-10-05"
+---
+
+This is the 1.18.0-rc release of Agones.
+
+This release fixes a gRPC compatibility issue in the allocator service introduced in Agones 1.11.0. If you have a gRPC client that does not work with the allocator server, you can now disable the REST server or set it to a different port for better client compatibility.
+
+The `RollingUpdateOnReady` feature have graduated to stable! And the new alpha feature `SDKGracefulTermination` makes Agones work better with preemptible VMs.
+
+Some helm parameters related to the allocator service were renamed to make them more consistent. If you were setting any of those values you will need to modify your helm scripts to use the new parameters.
+
+Check the <a href="https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/tree/release-1.18.0-rc" data-proofer-ignore>README</a> for details on features, installation and usage.
+
+**Breaking changes:**
+
+- Allow the ports for gRPC and REST to be configured for the allocator service [\#2272](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2272) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
+
+**Implemented enhancements:**
+
+- Skip volume mounts in the allocator pod if TLS on mTLS is disabled [\#2276](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/2276)
+- Allow the allocator service to use the go http/2 server [\#2263](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/2263)
+- Move RollingUpdateOnReady to Stable [\#2239](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/2239)
+- Explain how namespace parameter works for allocations [\#2090](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/2090)
+- Proposal: provide allocator-client.default secret in gameserver namespace [\#1686](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/1686)
+- Game Server Allocation advanced filtering: player count, state, reallocation [\#1239](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/issues/1239)
+- Skip the secrets and volume mounts in the allocator pod when they aren't needed [\#2277](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2277) ([roberthbailey](https://github.com/roberthbailey))
+- Move RollingUpdateOnReady to stable [\#2271](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2271) ([Jeffwan](https://github.com/Jeffwan))
+- Docs: High Density Integration Pattern [\#2270](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2270) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Docs: Integration Pattern - Reusing GameServers [\#2251](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2251) ([markmandel](https://github.com/markmandel))
+- Support graceful termination [\#2205](https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/pull/2205) ([bennetty](https://github.com/bennetty))
+
+Documentation: https://development.agones.dev/site/
+
+See <a href="https://github.com/googleforgames/agones/blob/release-1.18.0-rc/CHANGELOG.md" data-proofer-ignore>CHANGELOG</a> for more details on changes.
+
+Images available with this release:
+
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/agones-controller:1.18.0-rc](https://gcr.io/agones-images/agones-controller:1.18.0-rc)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/agones-sdk:1.18.0-rc](https://gcr.io/agones-images/agones-sdk:1.18.0-rc)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/agones-ping:1.18.0-rc](https://gcr.io/agones-images/agones-ping:1.18.0-rc)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/agones-allocator:1.18.0-rc](https://gcr.io/agones-images/agones-allocator:1.18.0-rc)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/autoscaler-webhook:0.3](https://gcr.io/agones-images/autoscaler-webhook:0.3)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/cpp-simple-server:0.13](https://gcr.io/agones-images/cpp-simple-server:0.13)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/crd-client:0.5](https://gcr.io/agones-images/crd-client:0.5)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/nodejs-simple-server:0.5](https://gcr.io/agones-images/nodejs-simple-server:0.5)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/rust-simple-server:0.9](https://gcr.io/agones-images/rust-simple-server:0.9)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/simple-game-server:0.3](https://gcr.io/agones-images/simple-game-server:0.3)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/supertuxkart-example:0.3](https://gcr.io/agones-images/supertuxkart-example:0.3)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/unity-simple-server:0.3](https://gcr.io/agones-images/unity-simple-server:0.3)
+- [gcr.io/agones-images/xonotic-example:0.8](https://gcr.io/agones-images/xonotic-example:0.8)
+
+Helm chart available with this release:
+
+- <a href="https://agones.dev/chart/stable/agones-1.18.0-rc.tgz" data-proofer-ignore>
+  <code>helm install agones agones/agones --version 1.18.0-rc</code></a>
+
+> Make sure to add our stable helm repository using `helm repo add agones https://agones.dev/chart/stable`
+