diff --git a/.github/workflows/package.yml b/.github/workflows/package.yml
index abc4c1c6d0204..c21e115ffc449 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/package.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/package.yml
@@ -59,13 +59,15 @@ jobs:
       - name: Install Archery
         run: |
           python3 -m pip install -e arrow/dev/archery[crossbow]
-      - name: Download MLTBX Release Candidate
+      - name: Download Release Candidate MLTBX
         # Download the MLTBX file from the crossbow GitHub Release's area.
         run: |
           .arrow/dev/release/04-binary-download.sh ${ARROW_VERSION} ${ARROW_RC_NUM} --task-filter matlab
           mltbx_file=$(find arrow/packages -name '*.mltbx' -type f)
           echo "ARROW_MLTBX_FILE=${mltbx_file}" >> $GITHUB_ENV
-      - name: Cut Pre-Release
+      - name: Create GitHub Release for Release Candidate
+        # Create a pre-release in apache/arrow's GitHub Releases area.
+        # Attach the release candidate MLTBX file as an asset.
         run: |
           target_branch=release-${ARROW_VERSION_WITH_RC}
           title="Apache Arrow ${ARROW_VERSION} RC${ARROW_RC_NUM}"
@@ -79,3 +81,5 @@ jobs:
             --notes "${release_notes}" \
             --title "${title}" \
             --repo ${repository}
+        env:
+          GH_TOKEN: ${{ github.token }}