diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index fe523159..9f5ef2e1 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 TEST_INFRA_VERSION ?= latest
 
 # Version of gRPC core used for the gRPC driver
-DRIVER_VERSION ?= v1.68.0
+DRIVER_VERSION ?= v1.82.1
 
 # Prefix for all images used as clone and ready containers, enabling use with
 # registries other than Docker Hub
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ delete_prebuilt_workers: fmt vet ## Build the delete_prebuilt_workers tool binar
 
 ##@ Build container images
 
-all-images: clone-image controller-image csharp-build-image cxx-image dotnet-build-image dotnet-image driver-image java-image node-build-image node-image php7-build-image php7-image python-image ready-image ruby-build-image ruby-image rust-build-image ## Build all container images.
+all-images: clone-image controller-image csharp-build-image cxx-image dotnet-build-image dotnet-image driver-image java-image node-build-image node-image php8-build-image php8-image python-image ready-image ruby-build-image ruby-image rust-build-image ## Build all container images.
 
 clone-image: ## Build the clone init container image.
 	docker build -t $(INIT_IMAGE_PREFIX)clone:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION) containers/init/clone
@@ -132,11 +132,11 @@ node-build-image: ## Build the Node.js build image
 node-image: ## Build the Node.js test runtime container image.
 	docker build -t $(RUN_IMAGE_PREFIX)node:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION) containers/runtime/node
 
-php7-build-image: ## Build the PHP7 build-time container image.
-	docker build -t $(BUILD_IMAGE_PREFIX)php7:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION) containers/init/build/php7
+php8-build-image: ## Build the PHP8 build-time container image.
+	docker build -t $(BUILD_IMAGE_PREFIX)php8:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION) containers/init/build/php8
 
-php7-image: ## Build the PHP7 test runtime container image.
-	docker build -t $(RUN_IMAGE_PREFIX)php7:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION) containers/runtime/php7
+php8-image: ## Build the PHP8 test runtime container image.
+	docker build -t $(RUN_IMAGE_PREFIX)php8:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION) containers/runtime/php8
 
 python-image: ## Build the Python test runtime container image.
 	docker build -t $(RUN_IMAGE_PREFIX)python:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION) containers/runtime/python
@@ -155,7 +155,7 @@ rust-build-image: ## Build the Rust build-time container image.
 
 ##@ Publish container images
 
-push-all-images: push-clone-image push-controller-image push-csharp-build-image push-cxx-image push-dotnet-build-image push-dotnet-image push-driver-image push-java-image push-node-build-image push-node-image push-php7-build-image push-php7-image push-python-image push-ready-image push-ruby-build-image push-ruby-image push-rust-build-image ## Push all container images to a registry.
+push-all-images: push-clone-image push-controller-image push-csharp-build-image push-cxx-image push-dotnet-build-image push-dotnet-image push-driver-image push-java-image push-node-build-image push-node-image push-php8-build-image push-php8-image push-python-image push-ready-image push-ruby-build-image push-ruby-image push-rust-build-image ## Push all container images to a registry.
 
 push-clone-image: ## Push the clone init container image to a registry.
 	docker push $(INIT_IMAGE_PREFIX)clone:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION)
@@ -187,11 +187,11 @@ push-node-build-image: ## Push the Node.js build image to a docker registry
 push-node-image: ## Push the Node.js test runtime container image to a registry.
 	docker push $(RUN_IMAGE_PREFIX)node:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION)
 
-push-php7-build-image: ## Push the PHP7 build-time container image to a registry.
-	docker push $(BUILD_IMAGE_PREFIX)php7:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION)
+push-php8-build-image: ## Push the PHP8 build-time container image to a registry.
+	docker push $(BUILD_IMAGE_PREFIX)php8:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION)
 
-push-php7-image: ## Push the PHP7 test runtime container image to a registry.
-	docker push $(RUN_IMAGE_PREFIX)php7:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION)
+push-php8-image: ## Push the PHP8 test runtime container image to a registry.
+	docker push $(RUN_IMAGE_PREFIX)php8:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION)
 
 push-python-image: ## Push the Python test runtime container image to a registry.
 	docker push $(RUN_IMAGE_PREFIX)python:$(TEST_INFRA_VERSION)
diff --git a/config/defaults_template.yaml b/config/defaults_template.yaml
index 5b7b815c..32eff0aa 100644
--- a/config/defaults_template.yaml
+++ b/config/defaults_template.yaml
@@ -38,13 +38,13 @@ languages:
   buildImage: "{{ .BuildImagePrefix }}node:{{ .Version }}"
   runImage: "{{ .RunImagePrefix }}node:{{ .Version }}"
 
-- language: php7
-  buildImage: "{{ .BuildImagePrefix }}php7:{{ .Version }}"
-  runImage: "{{ .RunImagePrefix }}php7:{{ .Version }}"
+- language: php8
+  buildImage: "{{ .BuildImagePrefix }}php8:{{ .Version }}"
+  runImage: "{{ .RunImagePrefix }}php8:{{ .Version }}"
 
-- language: php7_protobuf_c
-  buildImage: "{{ .BuildImagePrefix }}php7:{{ .Version }}"
-  runImage: "{{ .RunImagePrefix }}php7:{{ .Version }}"
+- language: php8_protobuf_c
+  buildImage: "{{ .BuildImagePrefix }}php8:{{ .Version }}"
+  runImage: "{{ .RunImagePrefix }}php8:{{ .Version }}"
 
 - language: python
   buildImage: us-docker.pkg.dev/grpc-testing/testing-images-public/bazel:ac0cf07a320bb1f337986fd312a1785614cc1e4e@sha256:4b64295380d6c951f3761273344e256f44daab35dd7182ff431a1802695368da
diff --git a/config/samples/php7_example_loadtest.yaml b/config/samples/php8_example_loadtest.yaml
similarity index 92%
rename from config/samples/php7_example_loadtest.yaml
rename to config/samples/php8_example_loadtest.yaml
index 293802f9..37d79c68 100644
--- a/config/samples/php7_example_loadtest.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/php8_example_loadtest.yaml
@@ -5,12 +5,12 @@ apiVersion: e2etest.grpc.io/v1
 kind: LoadTest
 metadata:
   annotations:
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong
     uniquifier: basic
   labels:
-    language: php7
+    language: php8
     prefix: examples
-  name: examples-php7-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-sync-unary-ping-pong-basic
+  name: examples-php8-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-sync-unary-ping-pong-basic
 spec:
   clients:
   - build:
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ spec:
     clone:
       gitRef: master
       repo: https://github.com/grpc/grpc.git
-    language: php7
+    language: php8
     name: '0'
     run:
     - args:
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest.yaml b/config/samples/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest.yaml
similarity index 92%
rename from config/samples/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest.yaml
rename to config/samples/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest.yaml
index 60986306..a847da1d 100644
--- a/config/samples/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest.yaml
@@ -5,12 +5,12 @@ apiVersion: e2etest.grpc.io/v1
 kind: LoadTest
 metadata:
   annotations:
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong
     uniquifier: basic
   labels:
-    language: php7_protobuf_c
+    language: php8_protobuf_c
     prefix: examples
-  name: examples-php7-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-sync-unary-ping-pong-basic
+  name: examples-php8-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-sync-unary-ping-pong-basic
 spec:
   clients:
   - build:
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ spec:
     clone:
       gitRef: master
       repo: https://github.com/grpc/grpc.git
-    language: php7_protobuf_c
+    language: php8_protobuf_c
     name: '0'
     run:
     - args:
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/templates/php7_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml b/config/samples/templates/php8_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
similarity index 90%
rename from config/samples/templates/php7_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
rename to config/samples/templates/php8_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
index fd71570d..ea47ebd1 100644
--- a/config/samples/templates/php7_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/templates/php8_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
@@ -6,15 +6,15 @@ kind: LoadTest
 metadata:
   annotations:
     pool: ${workers_pool}
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong
     uniquifier: prebuilt
   labels:
-    language: php7
+    language: php8
     prefix: examples
-  name: examples-php7-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-sync-unary-ping-pong-prebuilt
+  name: examples-php8-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-sync-unary-ping-pong-prebuilt
 spec:
   clients:
-  - language: php7
+  - language: php8
     name: '0'
     pool: ${workers_pool}
     run:
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ spec:
         /run_scripts/run_worker.sh
       command:
       - bash
-      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php7:${prebuilt_image_tag}
+      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php8:${prebuilt_image_tag}
       name: main
   driver:
     language: cxx
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/templates/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml b/config/samples/templates/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
similarity index 89%
rename from config/samples/templates/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
rename to config/samples/templates/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
index 18c4ff8a..5bbf8044 100644
--- a/config/samples/templates/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/templates/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
@@ -6,15 +6,15 @@ kind: LoadTest
 metadata:
   annotations:
     pool: ${workers_pool}
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong
     uniquifier: prebuilt
   labels:
-    language: php7_protobuf_c
+    language: php8_protobuf_c
     prefix: examples
-  name: examples-php7-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-sync-unary-ping-pong-prebuilt
+  name: examples-php8-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-sync-unary-ping-pong-prebuilt
 spec:
   clients:
-  - language: php7_protobuf_c
+  - language: php8_protobuf_c
     name: '0'
     pool: ${workers_pool}
     run:
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ spec:
         /run_scripts/run_protobuf_c_worker.sh
       command:
       - bash
-      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php7:${prebuilt_image_tag}
+      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php8:${prebuilt_image_tag}
       name: main
   driver:
     language: cxx
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_sync_unary_ping_pong",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/templates/psm/php7_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml b/config/samples/templates/psm/php8_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml
similarity index 93%
rename from config/samples/templates/psm/php7_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml
rename to config/samples/templates/psm/php8_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml
index af54104a..826fa172 100644
--- a/config/samples/templates/psm/php7_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/templates/psm/php8_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml
@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@ kind: LoadTest
 metadata:
   annotations:
     enablePrometheus: 'true'
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
     uniquifier: proxied
   labels:
-    language: php7
+    language: php8
     prefix: psm-examples
-  name: psm-examples-php7-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-proxied
+  name: psm-examples-php8-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-proxied
 spec:
   clients:
   - build:
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ spec:
     clone:
       gitRef: master
       repo: https://github.com/grpc/grpc.git
-    language: php7
+    language: php8
     name: '0'
     run:
     - args:
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/templates/psm/php7_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml b/config/samples/templates/psm/php8_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml
similarity index 93%
rename from config/samples/templates/psm/php7_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml
rename to config/samples/templates/psm/php8_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml
index dd7699df..96162b57 100644
--- a/config/samples/templates/psm/php7_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/templates/psm/php8_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml
@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@ kind: LoadTest
 metadata:
   annotations:
     enablePrometheus: 'true'
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
     uniquifier: proxyless
   labels:
-    language: php7
+    language: php8
     prefix: psm-examples
-  name: psm-examples-php7-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-proxyless
+  name: psm-examples-php8-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-proxyless
 spec:
   clients:
   - build:
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ spec:
     clone:
       gitRef: master
       repo: https://github.com/grpc/grpc.git
-    language: php7
+    language: php8
     name: '0'
     run:
     - args:
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/templates/psm/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml b/config/samples/templates/psm/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml
similarity index 93%
rename from config/samples/templates/psm/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml
rename to config/samples/templates/psm/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml
index 93fd538f..e0fd40d5 100644
--- a/config/samples/templates/psm/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/templates/psm/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied.yaml
@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@ kind: LoadTest
 metadata:
   annotations:
     enablePrometheus: 'true'
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
     uniquifier: proxied
   labels:
-    language: php7_protobuf_c
+    language: php8_protobuf_c
     prefix: psm-examples
-  name: psm-examples-php7-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-proxied
+  name: psm-examples-php8-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-proxied
 spec:
   clients:
   - build:
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ spec:
     clone:
       gitRef: master
       repo: https://github.com/grpc/grpc.git
-    language: php7_protobuf_c
+    language: php8_protobuf_c
     name: '0'
     run:
     - args:
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/templates/psm/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml b/config/samples/templates/psm/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml
similarity index 93%
rename from config/samples/templates/psm/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml
rename to config/samples/templates/psm/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml
index ae34cf48..2d0dfd6b 100644
--- a/config/samples/templates/psm/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/templates/psm/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless.yaml
@@ -6,12 +6,12 @@ kind: LoadTest
 metadata:
   annotations:
     enablePrometheus: 'true'
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
     uniquifier: proxyless
   labels:
-    language: php7_protobuf_c
+    language: php8_protobuf_c
     prefix: psm-examples
-  name: psm-examples-php7-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-proxyless
+  name: psm-examples-php8-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-proxyless
 spec:
   clients:
   - build:
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ spec:
     clone:
       gitRef: master
       repo: https://github.com/grpc/grpc.git
-    language: php7_protobuf_c
+    language: php8_protobuf_c
     name: '0'
     run:
     - args:
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml b/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
similarity index 92%
rename from config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
rename to config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
index cf25f845..e2f73234 100644
--- a/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
@@ -7,15 +7,15 @@ metadata:
   annotations:
     enablePrometheus: 'true'
     pool: ${workers_pool}
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
     uniquifier: prebuilt-proxied
   labels:
-    language: php7
+    language: php8
     prefix: psm-examples
-  name: psm-examples-php7-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-prebuilt-proxied
+  name: psm-examples-php8-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-prebuilt-proxied
 spec:
   clients:
-  - language: php7
+  - language: php8
     name: '0'
     pool: ${workers_pool}
     run:
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ spec:
         /run_scripts/run_worker.sh
       command:
       - bash
-      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php7:${prebuilt_image_tag}
+      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php8:${prebuilt_image_tag}
       name: main
     - args:
       - -default-config-path
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml b/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
similarity index 91%
rename from config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
rename to config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
index d8be5d71..4ccc43cb 100644
--- a/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
@@ -7,15 +7,15 @@ metadata:
   annotations:
     enablePrometheus: 'true'
     pool: ${workers_pool}
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
     uniquifier: prebuilt-proxyless
   labels:
-    language: php7
+    language: php8
     prefix: psm-examples
-  name: psm-examples-php7-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-prebuilt-proxyless
+  name: psm-examples-php8-protobuf-php-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-prebuilt-proxyless
 spec:
   clients:
-  - language: php7
+  - language: php8
     name: '0'
     pool: ${workers_pool}
     run:
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ spec:
       env:
       - name: GRPC_XDS_BOOTSTRAP
         value: /bootstrap/bootstrap.json
-      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php7:${prebuilt_image_tag}
+      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php8:${prebuilt_image_tag}
       name: main
     - args:
       - -default-config-path
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_php_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml b/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
similarity index 91%
rename from config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
rename to config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
index 48e53379..ba63e35e 100644
--- a/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxied_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
@@ -7,15 +7,15 @@ metadata:
   annotations:
     enablePrometheus: 'true'
     pool: ${workers_pool}
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
     uniquifier: prebuilt-proxied
   labels:
-    language: php7_protobuf_c
+    language: php8_protobuf_c
     prefix: psm-examples
-  name: psm-examples-php7-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-prebuilt-proxied
+  name: psm-examples-php8-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-prebuilt-proxied
 spec:
   clients:
-  - language: php7_protobuf_c
+  - language: php8_protobuf_c
     name: '0'
     pool: ${workers_pool}
     run:
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ spec:
         /run_scripts/run_protobuf_c_worker.sh
       command:
       - bash
-      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php7:${prebuilt_image_tag}
+      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php8:${prebuilt_image_tag}
       name: main
     - args:
       - -default-config-path
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml b/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
similarity index 91%
rename from config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
rename to config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
index ed5c4414..f44e09d0 100644
--- a/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php7_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
+++ b/config/samples/templates/psm/prebuilt/php8_protobuf_c_example_loadtest_proxyless_with_prebuilt_workers.yaml
@@ -7,15 +7,15 @@ metadata:
   annotations:
     enablePrometheus: 'true'
     pool: ${workers_pool}
-    scenario: php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
+    scenario: php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load
     uniquifier: prebuilt-proxyless
   labels:
-    language: php7_protobuf_c
+    language: php8_protobuf_c
     prefix: psm-examples
-  name: psm-examples-php7-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-prebuilt-proxyless
+  name: psm-examples-php8-protobuf-c-extension-to-cpp-protobuf-async-unary-5000rpcs-1kb-psm-8channels-16threads-5000load-prebuilt-proxyless
 spec:
   clients:
-  - language: php7_protobuf_c
+  - language: php8_protobuf_c
     name: '0'
     pool: ${workers_pool}
     run:
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ spec:
       env:
       - name: GRPC_XDS_BOOTSTRAP
         value: /bootstrap/bootstrap.json
-      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php7:${prebuilt_image_tag}
+      image: ${prebuilt_image_prefix}/php8:${prebuilt_image_tag}
       name: main
     - args:
       - -default-config-path
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ spec:
   scenariosJSON: |
     {
       "scenarios": {
-        "name": "php7_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
+        "name": "php8_protobuf_c_extension_to_cpp_protobuf_async_unary_5000rpcs_1KB_psm_8channels_16threads_5000load",
         "num_servers": 1,
         "num_clients": 1,
         "client_config": {
diff --git a/containers/init/build/php7/Dockerfile b/containers/init/build/php8/Dockerfile
similarity index 86%
rename from containers/init/build/php7/Dockerfile
rename to containers/init/build/php8/Dockerfile
index 201740a2..d706ed74 100644
--- a/containers/init/build/php7/Dockerfile
+++ b/containers/init/build/php8/Dockerfile
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-FROM php:7.4-buster
+FROM php:8.1-bullseye
 RUN mkdir -p /src/workspace
 WORKDIR /src/workspace
 
@@ -23,16 +23,17 @@ RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
   lcov \
   make \
   gnupg2 \
+  unzip \
   procps && \
   apt-get clean
 
 # Install rvm
 RUN gpg2 --recv-keys 7D2BAF1CF37B13E2069D6956105BD0E739499BDB
-RUN \curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s stable
+RUN \curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s master
 
-# Install Ruby 3
-RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm install ruby-3"
-RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm use --default ruby-3"
+# Install Ruby 3.2
+RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm install 3.2"
+RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm use --default 3.2"
 RUN /bin/bash -l -c "echo 'gem: --no-document' > ~/.gemrc"
 RUN /bin/bash -l -c "gem install bundler --no-document -v 2.4"
 
diff --git a/containers/init/build/php7/build_qps_worker.sh b/containers/init/build/php8/build_qps_worker.sh
similarity index 58%
rename from containers/init/build/php7/build_qps_worker.sh
rename to containers/init/build/php8/build_qps_worker.sh
index 206ec73f..86ba4847 100644
--- a/containers/init/build/php7/build_qps_worker.sh
+++ b/containers/init/build/php8/build_qps_worker.sh
@@ -15,24 +15,31 @@
 set -ex
 
 export GRPC_LIB_SUBDIR="libs/opt"
-export CFLAGS="-Wno-parentheses-equality"
 export root="/src/workspace"
 
-make -j8 static_c shared_c EMBED_OPENSSL=true EMBED_ZLIB=true
+EXTRA_DEFINES=GRPC_POSIX_FORK_ALLOW_PTHREAD_ATFORK make -j8 static_c shared_c EMBED_OPENSSL=true EMBED_ZLIB=true
 
 cd src/php/ext/grpc
 
 phpize
-./configure --enable-grpc="/src/workspace" --enable-coverage --enable-tests
+./configure --enable-grpc="${root}" --enable-coverage --enable-tests
+make -j8
 
-cd /src/workspace/src/php/tests/qps
+cd "${root}"/src/php/tests/qps
 
 composer install
 
-cd ../../../../third_party/protobuf/php/ext/google/protobuf
+cd "${root}"/third_party/protobuf/php/ext/google/protobuf
+
+# The PHP extension's build configuration (config.m4) expects 'utf8_range' 
+# to exist locally within the extension tree rather than the repository root.
+# Copy the dependency from the Protobuf third_party submodule to satisfy this.
+mkdir -p third_party/utf8_range
+cp -r "${root}"/third_party/protobuf/third_party/utf8_range/* third_party/utf8_range/
 
 phpize
 ./configure
+make -j8
 
 # Prepare for ruby proxy workers
 source /usr/local/rvm/scripts/rvm
diff --git a/containers/pre_built_workers/php7/Dockerfile b/containers/pre_built_workers/php8/Dockerfile
similarity index 83%
rename from containers/pre_built_workers/php7/Dockerfile
rename to containers/pre_built_workers/php8/Dockerfile
index 5e054d8f..f50e6cfd 100644
--- a/containers/pre_built_workers/php7/Dockerfile
+++ b/containers/pre_built_workers/php8/Dockerfile
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-FROM php:7.4-buster
+FROM php:8.1-bullseye
 
 # TODO: when running on kokoro, the "Install" build steps will not be cached
 # since we'll always be on a fresh VM. Re-running this command each
@@ -24,16 +24,17 @@ RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
   lcov \
   make \
   gnupg2 \
+  unzip \
   procps && \
   apt-get clean
 
 # Install rvm
 RUN gpg2 --recv-keys 7D2BAF1CF37B13E2069D6956105BD0E739499BDB
-RUN \curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s stable
+RUN \curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s master
 
-# Install Ruby 3
-RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm install ruby-3"
-RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm use --default ruby-3"
+# Install Ruby 3.2
+RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm install 3.2"
+RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm use --default 3.2"
 RUN /bin/bash -l -c "echo 'gem: --no-document' > ~/.gemrc"
 RUN /bin/bash -l -c "gem install bundler --no-document -v 2.4"
 
@@ -57,6 +58,8 @@ ARG BREAK_CACHE
 RUN git clone https://github.com/$REPOSITORY.git .
 RUN git checkout $GITREF
 RUN git submodule update --init
+# protobuf has a utf_range submodule.
+RUN git submodule update --init --recursive third_party/protobuf
 
 # Save commit sha for debug use
 RUN echo 'COMMIT SHA' > GRPC_GIT_COMMIT.txt
@@ -66,7 +69,7 @@ RUN mkdir /build_scripts
 ADD build_qps_worker.sh /build_scripts
 RUN /build_scripts/build_qps_worker.sh
 
-FROM php:7.4-buster
+FROM php:8.1-bullseye
 
 # TODO: when running on kokoro, the "Install" build steps will not be cached
 # since we'll always be on a fresh VM. Re-running this command each
@@ -77,16 +80,17 @@ RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
   lcov \
   make \
   gnupg2 \
+  unzip \
   procps && \
   apt-get clean
 
 # Install rvm
 RUN gpg2 --recv-keys 7D2BAF1CF37B13E2069D6956105BD0E739499BDB
-RUN \curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s stable
+RUN \curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s master
 
 # Install Ruby 3
-RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm install ruby-3"
-RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm use --default ruby-3"
+RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm install 3.2"
+RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm use --default 3.2"
 RUN /bin/bash -l -c "echo 'gem: --no-document' > ~/.gemrc"
 RUN /bin/bash -l -c "gem install bundler --no-document -v 2.4"
 
@@ -97,6 +101,10 @@ COPY --from=0 /pre/etc /execute/etc
 COPY --from=0 /pre/saved/bundle/ /execute/saved/bundle/
 COPY --from=0 /pre/GRPC_GIT_COMMIT.txt /execute/GRPC_GIT_COMMIT.txt
 
+# Since grpc.so dynamically links to libgrpc.so, it must be discoverable.
+COPY --from=0 /pre/libs/opt/libgrpc.so* /execute/libs/opt/
+ENV LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/execute/libs/opt
+
 RUN mkdir /run_scripts
 ADD run_worker.sh /run_scripts
 ADD run_protobuf_c_worker.sh /run_scripts
diff --git a/containers/pre_built_workers/php7/build_qps_worker.sh b/containers/pre_built_workers/php8/build_qps_worker.sh
similarity index 59%
rename from containers/pre_built_workers/php7/build_qps_worker.sh
rename to containers/pre_built_workers/php8/build_qps_worker.sh
index 2510fa76..d8b6f60c 100755
--- a/containers/pre_built_workers/php7/build_qps_worker.sh
+++ b/containers/pre_built_workers/php8/build_qps_worker.sh
@@ -15,24 +15,31 @@
 set -ex
 
 export GRPC_LIB_SUBDIR="libs/opt"
-export CFLAGS="-Wno-parentheses-equality"
 export root="/pre"
 
-make -j8 static_c shared_c EMBED_OPENSSL=true EMBED_ZLIB=true
+EXTRA_DEFINES=GRPC_POSIX_FORK_ALLOW_PTHREAD_ATFORK make -j8 static_c shared_c EMBED_OPENSSL=true EMBED_ZLIB=true
 
 cd src/php/ext/grpc
 
 phpize
-./configure --enable-grpc="/pre" --enable-coverage --enable-tests
+./configure --enable-grpc="${root}" --enable-coverage --enable-tests
+make -j8
 
 cd /pre/src/php/tests/qps
 
 composer install
 
-cd ../../../../third_party/protobuf/php/ext/google/protobuf
+cd "${root}"/third_party/protobuf/php/ext/google/protobuf
+
+# The PHP extension's build configuration (config.m4) expects 'utf8_range' 
+# to exist locally within the extension tree rather than the repository root.
+# Copy the dependency from the Protobuf third_party submodule to satisfy this.
+mkdir -p third_party/utf8_range
+cp -r "${root}"/third_party/protobuf/third_party/utf8_range/* third_party/utf8_range/
 
 phpize
 ./configure
+make -j8
 
 # Prepare for ruby proxy workers
 source /usr/local/rvm/scripts/rvm
diff --git a/containers/pre_built_workers/php7/run_protobuf_c_worker.sh b/containers/pre_built_workers/php8/run_protobuf_c_worker.sh
similarity index 100%
rename from containers/pre_built_workers/php7/run_protobuf_c_worker.sh
rename to containers/pre_built_workers/php8/run_protobuf_c_worker.sh
diff --git a/containers/pre_built_workers/php7/run_worker.sh b/containers/pre_built_workers/php8/run_worker.sh
similarity index 100%
rename from containers/pre_built_workers/php7/run_worker.sh
rename to containers/pre_built_workers/php8/run_worker.sh
diff --git a/containers/runtime/java/Dockerfile b/containers/runtime/java/Dockerfile
index 3e844770..91991807 100644
--- a/containers/runtime/java/Dockerfile
+++ b/containers/runtime/java/Dockerfile
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-FROM openjdk:11
+FROM eclipse-temurin:11-jdk-jammy
 
 RUN mkdir -p /src/workspace
 WORKDIR /src/workspace
diff --git a/containers/runtime/php7/Dockerfile b/containers/runtime/php8/Dockerfile
similarity index 78%
rename from containers/runtime/php7/Dockerfile
rename to containers/runtime/php8/Dockerfile
index 117bed2f..187df098 100644
--- a/containers/runtime/php7/Dockerfile
+++ b/containers/runtime/php8/Dockerfile
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@
 # See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 # limitations under the License.
 
-FROM php:7.4-buster
+FROM php:8.1-bullseye
 RUN mkdir -p /src/workspace
 WORKDIR /src/workspace
 
@@ -23,19 +23,23 @@ RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y \
   lcov \
   make \
   gnupg2 \
+  unzip \
   procps && \
   apt-get clean
 
 # Install rvm
 RUN gpg2 --recv-keys 7D2BAF1CF37B13E2069D6956105BD0E739499BDB
-RUN \curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s stable
+RUN \curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s master
 
-# Install Ruby 3
-RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm install ruby-3"
-RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm use --default ruby-3"
+# Install Ruby 3.2
+RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm install 3.2"
+RUN /bin/bash -l -c "rvm use --default 3.2"
 RUN /bin/bash -l -c "echo 'gem: --no-document' > ~/.gemrc"
 RUN /bin/bash -l -c "gem install bundler --no-document -v 2.4"
 
+# Since grpc.so dynamically links to libgrpc.so, it must be discoverable.
+ENV LD_LIBRARY_PATH=/src/workspace/libs/opt
+
 RUN mkdir /run_scripts
 ADD run_worker.sh /run_scripts
 ADD run_protobuf_c_worker.sh /run_scripts
diff --git a/containers/runtime/php7/run_protobuf_c_worker.sh b/containers/runtime/php8/run_protobuf_c_worker.sh
similarity index 100%
rename from containers/runtime/php7/run_protobuf_c_worker.sh
rename to containers/runtime/php8/run_protobuf_c_worker.sh
diff --git a/containers/runtime/php7/run_worker.sh b/containers/runtime/php8/run_worker.sh
similarity index 100%
rename from containers/runtime/php7/run_worker.sh
rename to containers/runtime/php8/run_worker.sh
diff --git a/tools/README.md b/tools/README.md
index 72eda5c6..22cbf1c9 100644
--- a/tools/README.md
+++ b/tools/README.md
@@ -120,8 +120,8 @@ The tool `prepare_prebuilt_workers` takes the following options:
   GITREF wish to build workers from can be specified as `language:COMMIT_SHA` or
   `language:repo:COMMIT_SHA`.
   May be repeated. Valid input for language names are all in lower case:
-  `csharp`, `c++`/`cxx`, `go`, `java`, `node`, `node_purejs`, `php7`.
-  `php7_protobuf_c`, `python`, `python_asyncio` and `ruby`.
+  `csharp`, `c++`/`cxx`, `go`, `java`, `node`, `node_purejs`, `php8`.
+  `php8_protobuf_c`, `python`, `python_asyncio` and `ruby`.
 - `-t`<br> Tag for prebuilt images. Tag is a required field. Tag complies with
   [Docker's tag restrictions](https://docs.docker.com/engine/reference/commandline/tag/#extended-description).
 - `-r`<br> Root directory of Dockerfiles.
diff --git a/tools/cmd/prepare_prebuilt_workers/main.go b/tools/cmd/prepare_prebuilt_workers/main.go
index bdb5a044..cc243681 100644
--- a/tools/cmd/prepare_prebuilt_workers/main.go
+++ b/tools/cmd/prepare_prebuilt_workers/main.go
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ func main() {
 	converterToImageLanguage := map[string]string{
 		"c++":             "cxx",
 		"node_purejs":     "node",
-		"php7_protobuf_c": "php7",
+		"php8_protobuf_c": "php8",
 		"python_asyncio":  "python",
 	}