diff --git a/templates/_template/package.json b/templates/_template/package.json
index 500327564ac..2f85e74d594 100644
--- a/templates/_template/package.json
+++ b/templates/_template/package.json
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
     "@payloadcms/ui": "latest",
     "cross-env": "^7.0.3",
     "graphql": "^16.8.1",
-    "next": "15.4.7",
+    "next": "16.1.5",
     "payload": "latest",
     "react": "19.1.0",
     "react-dom": "19.1.0",