diff --git a/.github/CODEOWNERS b/.github/CODEOWNERS
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+# This file defines code ownership rules for the repository.
+# The rule below requires that any PR to release/**/* branches must be approved by at least one member
+# of the NVIDIA/trt-llm-release-branch-approval team, regardless of who else approves the PR.
+# Without approval from a member of this team, PRs cannot be merged to release branches.
+* @NVIDIA/trt-llm-release-branch-approval