MySQL 8.0 524 changed features and defaults across eight years of point releases. Since 2023 releases follow two tracks instead:
LTS (long-term support) series get only necessary fixes: "There are no removals within an LTS release," and features change only in its first release. Each gets five years of premier and three of extended support under Oracle's Lifetime Support Policy.
Innovation releases carry new features and behavior changes, each supported only until the next one, roughly a quarter later.
After the Innovation releases 8.1 to 8.3 came 8.4, the first LTS; then Innovation 9.0 to 9.6; then 9.7, the second LTS and the last sequential number. Releases now use calendar versions, YY.M: MySQL 26.7 is the July 2026 Innovation release. Within an LTS only the last number moves.
| Series | Track | First release | Status in September 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8.0 | Old GA model | 2018 | Sustaining Support since 21 Apr 2026 |
| 8.4 | LTS | 30 Apr 2024 | Premier to 2029, extended to 2032 |
| 9.0 to 9.6 | Innovation | Jul 2024 to Jan 2026 | Ended |
| 9.7 | LTS | 21 Apr 2026 | Newest 9.7.2; premier to 2031, extended to 2034 |
| 26.7 | Innovation | 28 Jul 2026 | Newest 26.7.1; until the next Innovation |
"Sustaining Support" means no new fixes, security included; Oracle directs 8.0 users to 8.4 or 9.7. The 9.7 patches so far are 9.7.0 (21 April), 9.7.1 (16 June) and 9.7.2 (28 July 2026); the 9.7.3 of 18 August is a security patch "for the MySQL Server docker image, only", and both Oracle's Ubuntu 225 repository and Docker Hub 514 's mysql:9.7 carry 9.7.2.
Upgrades follow compatibility lineage, "a continuous direct-upgrade sequence bounded by LTS releases": you may go from an LTS to a later Innovation release or to the next LTS, but never skip an LTS. An 8.0 server goes to 8.4, then 9.7; MySQL Shell 524 's upgrade checker (mysql Client and Shell) tests each step first.
Choose 9.7 LTS for anything new, keep 8.4 LTS where a fleet or managed service still runs it, and try Innovation releases only where you can rebuild every quarter. Oracle's download page preselects the newest Innovation release: pick "9.7.2 LTS" from its list.