diff --git a/BUILD b/BUILD
index 5c8d085..8deb0a8 100644
--- a/BUILD
+++ b/BUILD
@@ -66,9 +66,9 @@
 # This should be updated along with build.yaml
 g_stands_for = "gao"
 
-core_version = "6.0.0-dev"
+core_version = "6.0.0-pre1"
 
-version = "1.16.0-dev"
+version = "1.16.0-pre1"
 
 GPR_PUBLIC_HDRS = [
     "include/grpc/support/alloc.h",
diff --git a/CMakeLists.txt b/CMakeLists.txt
index 66799c4..e55aef8 100644
--- a/CMakeLists.txt
+++ b/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
 cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 2.8)
 
 set(PACKAGE_NAME      "grpc")
-set(PACKAGE_VERSION   "1.16.0-dev")
+set(PACKAGE_VERSION   "1.16.0-pre1")
 set(PACKAGE_STRING    "${PACKAGE_NAME} ${PACKAGE_VERSION}")
 set(PACKAGE_TARNAME   "${PACKAGE_NAME}-${PACKAGE_VERSION}")
 set(PACKAGE_BUGREPORT "https://github.com/grpc/grpc/issues/")
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 1c61664..f4be70d 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -437,9 +437,9 @@
 Q = @
 endif
 
-CORE_VERSION = 6.0.0-dev
-CPP_VERSION = 1.16.0-dev
-CSHARP_VERSION = 1.16.0-dev
+CORE_VERSION = 6.0.0-pre1
+CPP_VERSION = 1.16.0-pre1
+CSHARP_VERSION = 1.16.0-pre1
 
 CPPFLAGS_NO_ARCH += $(addprefix -I, $(INCLUDES)) $(addprefix -D, $(DEFINES))
 CPPFLAGS += $(CPPFLAGS_NO_ARCH) $(ARCH_FLAGS)
diff --git a/build.yaml b/build.yaml
index 6f81bf7..dcb28c5 100644
--- a/build.yaml
+++ b/build.yaml
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@
   '#08': Use "-preN" suffixes to identify pre-release versions
   '#09': Per-language overrides are possible with (eg) ruby_version tag here
   '#10': See the expand_version.py for all the quirks here
-  core_version: 6.0.0-dev
+  core_version: 6.0.0-pre1
   g_stands_for: gao
-  version: 1.16.0-dev
+  version: 1.16.0-pre1
 filegroups:
 - name: alts_proto
   headers:
diff --git a/gRPC-C++.podspec b/gRPC-C++.podspec
index f2d9a81..2227f82 100644
--- a/gRPC-C++.podspec
+++ b/gRPC-C++.podspec
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@
 Pod::Spec.new do |s|
   s.name     = 'gRPC-C++'
   # TODO (mxyan): use version that match gRPC version when pod is stabilized
-  # version = '1.16.0-dev'
+  # version = '1.16.0-pre1'
   version = '0.0.3'
   s.version  = version
   s.summary  = 'gRPC C++ library'
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
   s.license  = 'Apache License, Version 2.0'
   s.authors  = { 'The gRPC contributors' => 'grpc-packages@google.com' }
 
-  grpc_version = '1.16.0-dev'
+  grpc_version = '1.16.0-pre1'
 
   s.source = {
     :git => 'https://github.com/grpc/grpc.git',
diff --git a/gRPC-Core.podspec b/gRPC-Core.podspec
index d575ca6..e47acd8 100644
--- a/gRPC-Core.podspec
+++ b/gRPC-Core.podspec
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 
 Pod::Spec.new do |s|
   s.name     = 'gRPC-Core'
-  version = '1.16.0-dev'
+  version = '1.16.0-pre1'
   s.version  = version
   s.summary  = 'Core cross-platform gRPC library, written in C'
   s.homepage = 'https://grpc.io'
diff --git a/gRPC-ProtoRPC.podspec b/gRPC-ProtoRPC.podspec
index 75fd592..1c3bbe2 100644
--- a/gRPC-ProtoRPC.podspec
+++ b/gRPC-ProtoRPC.podspec
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 Pod::Spec.new do |s|
   s.name     = 'gRPC-ProtoRPC'
-  version = '1.16.0-dev'
+  version = '1.16.0-pre1'
   s.version  = version
   s.summary  = 'RPC library for Protocol Buffers, based on gRPC'
   s.homepage = 'https://grpc.io'
diff --git a/gRPC-RxLibrary.podspec b/gRPC-RxLibrary.podspec
index ecd786e..58cea85 100644
--- a/gRPC-RxLibrary.podspec
+++ b/gRPC-RxLibrary.podspec
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@
 
 Pod::Spec.new do |s|
   s.name     = 'gRPC-RxLibrary'
-  version = '1.16.0-dev'
+  version = '1.16.0-pre1'
   s.version  = version
   s.summary  = 'Reactive Extensions library for iOS/OSX.'
   s.homepage = 'https://grpc.io'
diff --git a/gRPC.podspec b/gRPC.podspec
index 9164b21..695e7ea 100644
--- a/gRPC.podspec
+++ b/gRPC.podspec
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 Pod::Spec.new do |s|
   s.name     = 'gRPC'
-  version = '1.16.0-dev'
+  version = '1.16.0-pre1'
   s.version  = version
   s.summary  = 'gRPC client library for iOS/OSX'
   s.homepage = 'https://grpc.io'
diff --git a/package.xml b/package.xml
index 586bab0..6f2a219 100644
--- a/package.xml
+++ b/package.xml
@@ -13,8 +13,8 @@
  <date>2018-01-19</date>
  <time>16:06:07</time>
  <version>
-  <release>1.16.0dev</release>
-  <api>1.16.0dev</api>
+  <release>1.16.0RC1</release>
+  <api>1.16.0RC1</api>
  </version>
  <stability>
   <release>beta</release>
diff --git a/src/core/lib/surface/version.cc b/src/core/lib/surface/version.cc
index a44f9ac..f2f9f21 100644
--- a/src/core/lib/surface/version.cc
+++ b/src/core/lib/surface/version.cc
@@ -23,6 +23,6 @@
 
 #include <grpc/grpc.h>
 
-const char* grpc_version_string(void) { return "6.0.0-dev"; }
+const char* grpc_version_string(void) { return "6.0.0-pre1"; }
 
 const char* grpc_g_stands_for(void) { return "gao"; }
diff --git a/src/cpp/common/version_cc.cc b/src/cpp/common/version_cc.cc
index cc797f1..c67ce1b 100644
--- a/src/cpp/common/version_cc.cc
+++ b/src/cpp/common/version_cc.cc
@@ -22,5 +22,5 @@
 #include <grpcpp/grpcpp.h>
 
 namespace grpc {
-grpc::string Version() { return "1.16.0-dev"; }
+grpc::string Version() { return "1.16.0-pre1"; }
 }  // namespace grpc
diff --git a/src/csharp/Grpc.Core/Version.csproj.include b/src/csharp/Grpc.Core/Version.csproj.include
index 18515ea..30eb70f 100755
--- a/src/csharp/Grpc.Core/Version.csproj.include
+++ b/src/csharp/Grpc.Core/Version.csproj.include
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <!-- This file is generated -->
 <Project>
   <PropertyGroup>
-    <GrpcCsharpVersion>1.16.0-dev</GrpcCsharpVersion>
+    <GrpcCsharpVersion>1.16.0-pre1</GrpcCsharpVersion>
     <GoogleProtobufVersion>3.6.1</GoogleProtobufVersion>
   </PropertyGroup>
 </Project>
diff --git a/src/csharp/Grpc.Core/VersionInfo.cs b/src/csharp/Grpc.Core/VersionInfo.cs
index 55d09dd..c4dbed0 100644
--- a/src/csharp/Grpc.Core/VersionInfo.cs
+++ b/src/csharp/Grpc.Core/VersionInfo.cs
@@ -38,6 +38,6 @@
         /// <summary>
         /// Current version of gRPC C#
         /// </summary>
-        public const string CurrentVersion = "1.16.0-dev";
+        public const string CurrentVersion = "1.16.0-pre1";
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/csharp/build_packages_dotnetcli.bat b/src/csharp/build_packages_dotnetcli.bat
index 24d0161..b40a6e2 100755
--- a/src/csharp/build_packages_dotnetcli.bat
+++ b/src/csharp/build_packages_dotnetcli.bat
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 @rem limitations under the License.
 
 @rem Current package versions
-set VERSION=1.16.0-dev
+set VERSION=1.16.0-pre1
 
 @rem Adjust the location of nuget.exe
 set NUGET=C:\nuget\nuget.exe
diff --git a/src/csharp/build_unitypackage.bat b/src/csharp/build_unitypackage.bat
index 4e7ac4e..ac82b00 100644
--- a/src/csharp/build_unitypackage.bat
+++ b/src/csharp/build_unitypackage.bat
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 @rem limitations under the License.
 
 @rem Current package versions
-set VERSION=1.16.0-dev
+set VERSION=1.16.0-pre1
 
 @rem Adjust the location of nuget.exe
 set NUGET=C:\nuget\nuget.exe
diff --git "a/src/objective-c/\041ProtoCompiler-gRPCPlugin.podspec" "b/src/objective-c/\041ProtoCompiler-gRPCPlugin.podspec"
index 200cee5..e42c1c0 100644
--- "a/src/objective-c/\041ProtoCompiler-gRPCPlugin.podspec"
+++ "b/src/objective-c/\041ProtoCompiler-gRPCPlugin.podspec"
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
   # exclamation mark ensures that other "regular" pods will be able to find it as it'll be installed
   # before them.
   s.name     = '!ProtoCompiler-gRPCPlugin'
-  v = '1.16.0-dev'
+  v = '1.16.0-pre1'
   s.version  = v
   s.summary  = 'The gRPC ProtoC plugin generates Objective-C files from .proto services.'
   s.description = <<-DESC
diff --git a/src/objective-c/GRPCClient/private/version.h b/src/objective-c/GRPCClient/private/version.h
index 38862e1..db439de 100644
--- a/src/objective-c/GRPCClient/private/version.h
+++ b/src/objective-c/GRPCClient/private/version.h
@@ -22,4 +22,4 @@
 // instead. This file can be regenerated from the template by running
 // `tools/buildgen/generate_projects.sh`.
 
-#define GRPC_OBJC_VERSION_STRING @"1.16.0-dev"
+#define GRPC_OBJC_VERSION_STRING @"1.16.0-pre1"
diff --git a/src/objective-c/tests/version.h b/src/objective-c/tests/version.h
index 8283310..824c505 100644
--- a/src/objective-c/tests/version.h
+++ b/src/objective-c/tests/version.h
@@ -22,5 +22,5 @@
 // instead. This file can be regenerated from the template by running
 // `tools/buildgen/generate_projects.sh`.
 
-#define GRPC_OBJC_VERSION_STRING @"1.16.0-dev"
-#define GRPC_C_VERSION_STRING @"6.0.0-dev"
+#define GRPC_OBJC_VERSION_STRING @"1.16.0-pre1"
+#define GRPC_C_VERSION_STRING @"6.0.0-pre1"
diff --git a/src/php/ext/grpc/version.h b/src/php/ext/grpc/version.h
index 469a48e..924c0f6 100644
--- a/src/php/ext/grpc/version.h
+++ b/src/php/ext/grpc/version.h
@@ -20,6 +20,6 @@
 #ifndef VERSION_H
 #define VERSION_H
 
-#define PHP_GRPC_VERSION "1.16.0dev"
+#define PHP_GRPC_VERSION "1.16.0RC1"
 
 #endif /* VERSION_H */
diff --git a/src/python/grpcio/grpc/_grpcio_metadata.py b/src/python/grpcio/grpc/_grpcio_metadata.py
index 24e1557..cc628a8 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio/grpc/_grpcio_metadata.py
+++ b/src/python/grpcio/grpc/_grpcio_metadata.py
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@
 
 # AUTO-GENERATED FROM `$REPO_ROOT/templates/src/python/grpcio/grpc/_grpcio_metadata.py.template`!!!
 
-__version__ = """1.16.0.dev0"""
+__version__ = """1.16.0rc1"""
diff --git a/src/python/grpcio/grpc_version.py b/src/python/grpcio/grpc_version.py
index 6ffe1eb..191cefa 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio/grpc_version.py
+++ b/src/python/grpcio/grpc_version.py
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@
 
 # AUTO-GENERATED FROM `$REPO_ROOT/templates/src/python/grpcio/grpc_version.py.template`!!!
 
-VERSION = '1.16.0.dev0'
+VERSION = '1.16.0rc1'
diff --git a/src/python/grpcio_health_checking/grpc_version.py b/src/python/grpcio_health_checking/grpc_version.py
index e080bf2..1d24fc3 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio_health_checking/grpc_version.py
+++ b/src/python/grpcio_health_checking/grpc_version.py
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@
 
 # AUTO-GENERATED FROM `$REPO_ROOT/templates/src/python/grpcio_health_checking/grpc_version.py.template`!!!
 
-VERSION = '1.16.0.dev0'
+VERSION = '1.16.0rc1'
diff --git a/src/python/grpcio_reflection/grpc_version.py b/src/python/grpcio_reflection/grpc_version.py
index 4b3b95f..f9e1b2a 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio_reflection/grpc_version.py
+++ b/src/python/grpcio_reflection/grpc_version.py
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@
 
 # AUTO-GENERATED FROM `$REPO_ROOT/templates/src/python/grpcio_reflection/grpc_version.py.template`!!!
 
-VERSION = '1.16.0.dev0'
+VERSION = '1.16.0rc1'
diff --git a/src/python/grpcio_testing/grpc_version.py b/src/python/grpcio_testing/grpc_version.py
index c12aa15..ba3c7ed 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio_testing/grpc_version.py
+++ b/src/python/grpcio_testing/grpc_version.py
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@
 
 # AUTO-GENERATED FROM `$REPO_ROOT/templates/src/python/grpcio_testing/grpc_version.py.template`!!!
 
-VERSION = '1.16.0.dev0'
+VERSION = '1.16.0rc1'
diff --git a/src/python/grpcio_tests/grpc_version.py b/src/python/grpcio_tests/grpc_version.py
index f4b8a34..ea853ad 100644
--- a/src/python/grpcio_tests/grpc_version.py
+++ b/src/python/grpcio_tests/grpc_version.py
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@
 
 # AUTO-GENERATED FROM `$REPO_ROOT/templates/src/python/grpcio_tests/grpc_version.py.template`!!!
 
-VERSION = '1.16.0.dev0'
+VERSION = '1.16.0rc1'
diff --git a/src/ruby/lib/grpc/version.rb b/src/ruby/lib/grpc/version.rb
index 0c3e1ef..d180d1f 100644
--- a/src/ruby/lib/grpc/version.rb
+++ b/src/ruby/lib/grpc/version.rb
@@ -14,5 +14,5 @@
 
 # GRPC contains the General RPC module.
 module GRPC
-  VERSION = '1.16.0.dev'
+  VERSION = '1.16.0.pre1'
 end
diff --git a/src/ruby/tools/version.rb b/src/ruby/tools/version.rb
index 03d977c..605a031 100644
--- a/src/ruby/tools/version.rb
+++ b/src/ruby/tools/version.rb
@@ -14,6 +14,6 @@
 
 module GRPC
   module Tools
-    VERSION = '1.16.0.dev'
+    VERSION = '1.16.0.pre1'
   end
 end
diff --git a/tools/distrib/python/grpcio_tools/grpc_version.py b/tools/distrib/python/grpcio_tools/grpc_version.py
index 581dab3..e1536c5 100644
--- a/tools/distrib/python/grpcio_tools/grpc_version.py
+++ b/tools/distrib/python/grpcio_tools/grpc_version.py
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@
 
 # AUTO-GENERATED FROM `$REPO_ROOT/templates/tools/distrib/python/grpcio_tools/grpc_version.py.template`!!!
 
-VERSION = '1.16.0.dev0'
+VERSION = '1.16.0rc1'
diff --git a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++ b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++
index 97599be..251d0db 100644
--- a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++
+++ b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 # could be handy for archiving the generated documentation or if some version
 # control system is used.
 
-PROJECT_NUMBER         = 1.16.0-dev
+PROJECT_NUMBER         = 1.16.0-pre1
 
 # Using the PROJECT_BRIEF tag one can provide an optional one line description
 # for a project that appears at the top of each page and should give viewer a
diff --git a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++.internal b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++.internal
index c852b29..b72e819 100644
--- a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++.internal
+++ b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.c++.internal
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 # could be handy for archiving the generated documentation or if some version
 # control system is used.
 
-PROJECT_NUMBER         = 1.16.0-dev
+PROJECT_NUMBER         = 1.16.0-pre1
 
 # Using the PROJECT_BRIEF tag one can provide an optional one line description
 # for a project that appears at the top of each page and should give viewer a
diff --git a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core
index 0c2569d..d879f9d 100644
--- a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core
+++ b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 # could be handy for archiving the generated documentation or if some version
 # control system is used.
 
-PROJECT_NUMBER         = 6.0.0-dev
+PROJECT_NUMBER         = 6.0.0-pre1
 
 # Using the PROJECT_BRIEF tag one can provide an optional one line description
 # for a project that appears at the top of each page and should give viewer a
diff --git a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal
index d9ab712..e702bc6 100644
--- a/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal
+++ b/tools/doxygen/Doxyfile.core.internal
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@
 # could be handy for archiving the generated documentation or if some version
 # control system is used.
 
-PROJECT_NUMBER         = 6.0.0-dev
+PROJECT_NUMBER         = 6.0.0-pre1
 
 # Using the PROJECT_BRIEF tag one can provide an optional one line description
 # for a project that appears at the top of each page and should give viewer a