diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-browse-nested.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-browse-nested.spec.ts
index 48a3c00359f..6765d299e53 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-browse-nested.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-browse-nested.spec.ts
@@ -9,7 +9,8 @@ const NUM_NESTED_DASHBOARDS = 60;
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-browse.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-browse.spec.ts
index af0d65adc29..8ae318bcefa 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-browse.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-browse.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ import testDashboard from '../dashboards/TestDashboard.json';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-export-image.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-export-image.spec.ts
index 3b3c6d26fac..a97a04a14b8 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-export-image.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-export-image.spec.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ test.use({
   featureToggles: {
     scenes: true,
     sharingDashboardImage: true, // Enable the export image feature
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-export-json.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-export-json.spec.ts
index 18145a6c739..428193ab5fa 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-export-json.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-export-json.spec.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import { test, expect } from '@grafana/plugin-e2e';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-keybindings.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-keybindings.spec.ts
index dd420093696..b0ecf44f9f1 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-keybindings.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-keybindings.spec.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import { test, expect } from '@grafana/plugin-e2e';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-links-without-slug.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-links-without-slug.spec.ts
index 530c74c2485..0a982e148b5 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-links-without-slug.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-links-without-slug.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ import testDashboard from '../dashboards/DataLinkWithoutSlugTest.json';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-live-streaming.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-live-streaming.spec.ts
index 07aacd5b3fb..20f455ea3a8 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-live-streaming.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-live-streaming.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ import testDashboard from '../dashboards/DashboardLiveTest.json';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-public-create.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-public-create.spec.ts
index 5c52138ee08..fd5dc979d81 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-public-create.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-public-create.spec.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import { test, expect } from '@grafana/plugin-e2e';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
     dashboardScene: false, // this test is for the old sharing modal only used when scenes is turned off
   },
 });
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-public-templating.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-public-templating.spec.ts
index 82a2670ef9e..c59e323076d 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-public-templating.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-public-templating.spec.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import { test, expect } from '@grafana/plugin-e2e';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
     dashboardScene: false, // this test is for the old sharing modal only used when scenes is turned off
   },
 });
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-externally-create.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-externally-create.spec.ts
index d0a6652ccc6..3398e9aaa35 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-externally-create.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-externally-create.spec.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@ import { test, expect } from '@grafana/plugin-e2e';
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
     scenes: true,
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-internally.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-internally.spec.ts
index 98d394ccc91..26f8b85d13e 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-internally.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-internally.spec.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,8 @@ import { test, expect } from '@grafana/plugin-e2e';
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
     scenes: true,
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-snapshot-create.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-snapshot-create.spec.ts
index 3ac515e36e6..1a7e03d6243 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-snapshot-create.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-share-snapshot-create.spec.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ import { SnapshotCreateResponse } from '../../public/app/features/dashboard/serv
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
     scenes: true,
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-templating.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-templating.spec.ts
index ded0abd61ef..78c35dc5de7 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-templating.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-templating.spec.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ const DASHBOARD_UID = 'HYaGDGIMk';
 test.use({
   timezoneId: 'Pacific/Easter',
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-time-zone.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-time-zone.spec.ts
index 2d56cd14512..937224290b0 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-time-zone.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-time-zone.spec.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,8 @@ const TIMEZONE_DASHBOARD_UID = 'd41dbaa2-a39e-4536-ab2b-caca52f1a9c8';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-timepicker.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-timepicker.spec.ts
index f7a5c4b9dec..4ffd65b83a3 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-timepicker.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/dashboard-timepicker.spec.ts
@@ -16,7 +16,8 @@ test.use({
     origins: [],
   },
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/embedded-dashboard.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/embedded-dashboard.spec.ts
index 342b912a48a..f457eddf19e 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/embedded-dashboard.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/embedded-dashboard.spec.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@ import { test, expect } from '@grafana/plugin-e2e';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/general-dashboards.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/general-dashboards.spec.ts
index 3cdd27ed954..99f84cb6d9f 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/general-dashboards.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/general-dashboards.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ const PAGE_UNDER_TEST = 'edediimbjhdz4b/a-tall-dashboard';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/import-dashboard.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/import-dashboard.spec.ts
index 7ec014c728b..5fdca6954aa 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/import-dashboard.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/import-dashboard.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ import testDashboard from '../dashboards/TestDashboard.json';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/load-options-from-url.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/load-options-from-url.spec.ts
index c2f45459431..ca06e31528a 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/load-options-from-url.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/load-options-from-url.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ const PAGE_UNDER_TEST = '-Y-tnEDWk/templating-nested-template-variables';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-constant-variable.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-constant-variable.spec.ts
index 3e28a6f49bc..fa0b5fc1bfd 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-constant-variable.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-constant-variable.spec.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ const DASHBOARD_NAME = 'Test variable output';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-custom-variable.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-custom-variable.spec.ts
index cc3bda551d9..c14a952e1d9 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-custom-variable.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-custom-variable.spec.ts
@@ -52,7 +52,8 @@ async function assertPreviewValues(
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-datasource-variable.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-datasource-variable.spec.ts
index 988d79f78ca..cc19e67cda4 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-datasource-variable.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-datasource-variable.spec.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ const DASHBOARD_NAME = 'Test variable output';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-interval-variable.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-interval-variable.spec.ts
index 0310f6c3500..d76b5291c42 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-interval-variable.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-interval-variable.spec.ts
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@ async function assertPreviewValues(
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-query-variable.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-query-variable.spec.ts
index 212f0ecd018..088f4bd9b12 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-query-variable.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-query-variable.spec.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ const DASHBOARD_NAME = 'Templating - Nested Template Variables';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-text-box-variable.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-text-box-variable.spec.ts
index 5c49254284f..c669dc563c4 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-text-box-variable.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/new-text-box-variable.spec.ts
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ const DASHBOARD_NAME = 'Test variable output';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-a-panel-horizontally.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-a-panel-horizontally.spec.ts
index 920bc343275..a55f14b8643 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-a-panel-horizontally.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-a-panel-horizontally.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ const PAGE_UNDER_TEST = 'WVpf2jp7z/repeating-a-panel-horizontally';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-a-panel-vertically.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-a-panel-vertically.spec.ts
index 3dc9cfcbcc1..bb188c87e8d 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-a-panel-vertically.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-a-panel-vertically.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ const PAGE_UNDER_TEST = 'OY8Ghjt7k/repeating-a-panel-vertically';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-an-empty-row.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-an-empty-row.spec.ts
index 31a60079444..e31c5792062 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-an-empty-row.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/repeating-an-empty-row.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ const PAGE_UNDER_TEST = 'dtpl2Ctnk/repeating-an-empty-row';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/set-options-from-ui.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/set-options-from-ui.spec.ts
index 556ec524713..53290345e73 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/set-options-from-ui.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/set-options-from-ui.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ const PAGE_UNDER_TEST = '-Y-tnEDWk/templating-nested-template-variables';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/snapshot-create.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/snapshot-create.spec.ts
index 78c6a6a44c9..123aa7f3279 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/snapshot-create.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/snapshot-create.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ const DASHBOARD_UID = 'ZqZnVvFZz';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
     dashboardScene: false, // this test is for the old sharing modal only used when scenes is turned off
   },
 });
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/templating-dashboard-links-and-variables.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/templating-dashboard-links-and-variables.spec.ts
index 813815f7f39..1d8fd32ff06 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/templating-dashboard-links-and-variables.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/templating-dashboard-links-and-variables.spec.ts
@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ const DASHBOARD_UID = 'yBCC3aKGk';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/textbox-variables.spec.ts b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/textbox-variables.spec.ts
index c992456a1bc..4fb56ef8b8e 100644
--- a/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/textbox-variables.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e-playwright/dashboards-suite/textbox-variables.spec.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,8 @@ const PAGE_UNDER_TEST = 'AejrN1AMz';
 
 test.use({
   featureToggles: {
-    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.KUBERNETES_DASHBOARDS === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboards: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
+    kubernetesDashboardsV2: process.env.FORCE_V2_DASHBOARDS_API === 'true',
   },
 });
 
diff --git a/packages/grafana-data/src/types/featureToggles.gen.ts b/packages/grafana-data/src/types/featureToggles.gen.ts
index 33750126afa..900f86ba33f 100644
--- a/packages/grafana-data/src/types/featureToggles.gen.ts
+++ b/packages/grafana-data/src/types/featureToggles.gen.ts
@@ -361,6 +361,10 @@ export interface FeatureToggles {
   */
   dashboardNewLayouts?: boolean;
   /**
+  * Use the v2 kubernetes API in the frontend for dashboards
+  */
+  kubernetesDashboardsV2?: boolean;
+  /**
   * Enables undo/redo in dynamic dashboards
   */
   dashboardUndoRedo?: boolean;
diff --git a/pkg/registry/apis/dashboard/register.go b/pkg/registry/apis/dashboard/register.go
index fb42543de33..ad598f62f9f 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/apis/dashboard/register.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/apis/dashboard/register.go
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ func NewAPIService(ac authlib.AccessClient, features featuremgmt.FeatureToggles,
 }
 
 func (b *DashboardsAPIBuilder) GetGroupVersions() []schema.GroupVersion {
-	if featuremgmt.AnyEnabled(b.features, featuremgmt.FlagDashboardNewLayouts) {
+	if featuremgmt.AnyEnabled(b.features, featuremgmt.FlagDashboardNewLayouts, featuremgmt.FlagKubernetesDashboardsV2) {
 		// If dashboards v2 is enabled, we want to use v2beta1 as the default API version.
 		return []schema.GroupVersion{
 			dashv2beta1.DashboardResourceInfo.GroupVersion(),
diff --git a/pkg/services/featuremgmt/registry.go b/pkg/services/featuremgmt/registry.go
index 37ee3001e99..4fe92fe90d6 100644
--- a/pkg/services/featuremgmt/registry.go
+++ b/pkg/services/featuremgmt/registry.go
@@ -579,6 +579,13 @@ var (
 			FrontendOnly: false, // The restore backend feature changes behavior based on this flag
 			Owner:        grafanaDashboardsSquad,
 		},
+		{
+			Name:         "kubernetesDashboardsV2",
+			Description:  "Use the v2 kubernetes API in the frontend for dashboards",
+			Stage:        FeatureStageExperimental,
+			FrontendOnly: false,
+			Owner:        grafanaDashboardsSquad,
+		},
 		{
 			Name:         "dashboardUndoRedo",
 			Description:  "Enables undo/redo in dynamic dashboards",
diff --git a/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.csv b/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.csv
index f66bc50bbc7..9caa916283d 100644
--- a/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.csv
+++ b/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.csv
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ dashboardSceneForViewers,GA,@grafana/dashboards-squad,false,false,true
 dashboardSceneSolo,GA,@grafana/dashboards-squad,false,false,true
 dashboardScene,GA,@grafana/dashboards-squad,false,false,true
 dashboardNewLayouts,experimental,@grafana/dashboards-squad,false,false,false
+kubernetesDashboardsV2,experimental,@grafana/dashboards-squad,false,false,false
 dashboardUndoRedo,experimental,@grafana/dashboards-squad,false,false,true
 unlimitedLayoutsNesting,experimental,@grafana/dashboards-squad,false,false,true
 perPanelNonApplicableDrilldowns,experimental,@grafana/dashboards-squad,false,false,true
diff --git a/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.go b/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.go
index 1217d1f5a28..89a171a76ba 100644
--- a/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.go
+++ b/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.go
@@ -259,6 +259,10 @@ const (
 	// Enables experimental new dashboard layouts
 	FlagDashboardNewLayouts = "dashboardNewLayouts"
 
+	// FlagKubernetesDashboardsV2
+	// Use the v2 kubernetes API in the frontend for dashboards
+	FlagKubernetesDashboardsV2 = "kubernetesDashboardsV2"
+
 	// FlagPdfTables
 	// Enables generating table data as PDF in reporting
 	FlagPdfTables = "pdfTables"
diff --git a/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.json b/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.json
index 46e5eda90a7..aeaf5a408af 100644
--- a/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.json
+++ b/pkg/services/featuremgmt/toggles_gen.json
@@ -1911,6 +1911,18 @@
         "expression": "true"
       }
     },
+    {
+      "metadata": {
+        "name": "kubernetesDashboardsV2",
+        "resourceVersion": "1764236054307",
+        "creationTimestamp": "2025-11-27T09:34:14Z"
+      },
+      "spec": {
+        "description": "Use the v2 kubernetes API in the frontend for dashboards",
+        "stage": "experimental",
+        "codeowner": "@grafana/dashboards-squad"
+      }
+    },
     {
       "metadata": {
         "name": "kubernetesExternalGroupMapping",
@@ -3547,6 +3559,22 @@
         "expression": "true"
       }
     },
+    {
+      "metadata": {
+        "name": "v2DashboardAPIVersion",
+        "resourceVersion": "1762457740470",
+        "creationTimestamp": "2025-11-06T19:22:05Z",
+        "deletionTimestamp": "2025-11-27T09:34:14Z",
+        "annotations": {
+          "grafana.app/updatedTimestamp": "2025-11-06 19:35:40.470587 +0000 UTC"
+        }
+      },
+      "spec": {
+        "description": "Enables the v2 dashboard API version",
+        "stage": "experimental",
+        "codeowner": "@grafana/dashboards-squad"
+      }
+    },
     {
       "metadata": {
         "name": "vizActionsAuth",
@@ -3589,4 +3617,4 @@
       }
     }
   ]
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/pages/DashboardScenePageStateManager.ts b/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/pages/DashboardScenePageStateManager.ts
index a563c17db65..7f8173f9cd9 100644
--- a/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/pages/DashboardScenePageStateManager.ts
+++ b/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/pages/DashboardScenePageStateManager.ts
@@ -958,6 +958,10 @@ export class DashboardScenePageStateManagerV2 extends DashboardScenePageStateMan
   }
 }
 
+export function shouldForceV2API(): boolean {
+  return Boolean(config.featureToggles.kubernetesDashboardsV2 || config.featureToggles.dashboardNewLayouts);
+}
+
 export class UnifiedDashboardScenePageStateManager extends DashboardScenePageStateManagerBase<
   DashboardDTO | DashboardWithAccessInfo<DashboardV2Spec>
 > {
@@ -970,7 +974,7 @@ export class UnifiedDashboardScenePageStateManager extends DashboardScenePageSta
     this.v1Manager = new DashboardScenePageStateManager(initialState);
     this.v2Manager = new DashboardScenePageStateManagerV2(initialState);
 
-    this.activeManager = config.featureToggles.dashboardNewLayouts ? this.v2Manager : this.v1Manager;
+    this.activeManager = shouldForceV2API() ? this.v2Manager : this.v1Manager;
   }
 
   private async withVersionHandling<T>(
@@ -1075,7 +1079,7 @@ export class UnifiedDashboardScenePageStateManager extends DashboardScenePageSta
 
   public async loadDashboard(options: LoadDashboardOptions): Promise<void> {
     if (options.route === DashboardRoutes.New) {
-      const newDashboardVersion = config.featureToggles.dashboardNewLayouts ? 'v2' : 'v1';
+      const newDashboardVersion = shouldForceV2API() ? 'v2' : 'v1';
       this.setActiveManager(newDashboardVersion);
     }
     return this.withVersionHandling((manager) => manager.loadDashboard.call(this, options));
@@ -1089,7 +1093,7 @@ export class UnifiedDashboardScenePageStateManager extends DashboardScenePageSta
     }
   }
   public resetActiveManager() {
-    this.setActiveManager('v1');
+    this.activeManager = shouldForceV2API() ? this.v2Manager : this.v1Manager;
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/serialization/transformSaveModelToScene.ts b/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/serialization/transformSaveModelToScene.ts
index 41dcc938222..9194adf6a7b 100644
--- a/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/serialization/transformSaveModelToScene.ts
+++ b/public/app/features/dashboard-scene/serialization/transformSaveModelToScene.ts
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import { DashboardDTO, DashboardDataDTO } from 'app/types/dashboard';
 
 import { addPanelsOnLoadBehavior } from '../addToDashboard/addPanelsOnLoadBehavior';
 import { dashboardAnalyticsInitializer } from '../behaviors/DashboardAnalyticsInitializerBehavior';
+import { shouldForceV2API } from '../pages/DashboardScenePageStateManager';
 import { AlertStatesDataLayer } from '../scene/AlertStatesDataLayer';
 import { DashboardAnnotationsDataLayer } from '../scene/DashboardAnnotationsDataLayer';
 import { DashboardControls } from '../scene/DashboardControls';
@@ -258,7 +259,7 @@ export function createDashboardSceneFromDashboardModel(oldModel: DashboardModel,
   let annotationLayers: SceneDataLayerProvider[] = [];
   let alertStatesLayer: AlertStatesDataLayer | undefined;
   const uid = oldModel.uid;
-  const serializerVersion = config.featureToggles.dashboardNewLayouts && !oldModel.meta.isSnapshot ? 'v2' : 'v1';
+  const serializerVersion = shouldForceV2API() && !oldModel.meta.isSnapshot ? 'v2' : 'v1';
 
   if (oldModel.meta.isSnapshot) {
     variables = createVariablesForSnapshot(oldModel);
diff --git a/public/app/features/dashboard/api/utils.ts b/public/app/features/dashboard/api/utils.ts
index b0f582869a1..688218de024 100644
--- a/public/app/features/dashboard/api/utils.ts
+++ b/public/app/features/dashboard/api/utils.ts
@@ -16,6 +16,9 @@ export function isV2StoredVersion(version: string | undefined): boolean {
 export function getDashboardsApiVersion(responseFormat?: 'v1' | 'v2') {
   const isDashboardSceneEnabled = config.featureToggles.dashboardScene;
   const isKubernetesDashboardsEnabled = config.featureToggles.kubernetesDashboards;
+  const isV2DashboardAPIVersionEnabled = config.featureToggles.kubernetesDashboardsV2;
+  const isDashboardNewLayoutsEnabled = config.featureToggles.dashboardNewLayouts;
+
   const forcingOldDashboardArch = locationService.getSearch().get('scenes') === 'false';
 
   // Force legacy API when dashboard scene is disabled or explicitly forced
@@ -32,7 +35,7 @@ export function getDashboardsApiVersion(responseFormat?: 'v1' | 'v2') {
     if (responseFormat === 'v1') {
       return 'v1';
     }
-    if (responseFormat === 'v2') {
+    if (responseFormat === 'v2' || isV2DashboardAPIVersionEnabled || isDashboardNewLayoutsEnabled) {
       return 'v2';
     }
     return 'unified';