International Coaching Week – May 17, 2026

International Coaching Week
Categories:
Tags:
AppreciationSports
Where:
International
Date change rule:
Week starting with the 3rd Sunday of May
Holiday emoji:
📈

International Coaching Week takes place every third week of May, celebrating the profound impact of professional coaching on individuals and organizations worldwide. This week-long observance highlights the power of coaching to unlock potential, foster growth, and drive positive change. Join the global community in recognizing coaches, exploring coaching benefits, and engaging in personal development.

Want to sponsor International Coaching Week? Learn how

Expected International Coaching Week Deals

As a Recognition holiday, International Coaching Week focuses less on commercial deals and more on professional development and appreciation. Expect many coaching organizations and individual coaches to offer free webinars, introductory sessions, or discounted workshops. Organizations like the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and Coach U often provide free resources, virtual events, and special membership offers. Look for discounted certifications from institutions like iPEC Coaching and Coaches Training Institute (CTI), as well as special rates on coaching packages from independent practitioners. We will update this page with confirmed live offers as May approaches.

Platform Guide for International Coaching Week

LinkedIn

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #InternationalCoachingWeek. Share insights on professional development and leadership.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #InternationalCoachingWeek. Share inspiring quotes, success stories, or behind-the-scenes of your coaching journey.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #InternationalCoachingWeek. Join conversations about leadership, personal growth, and the future of coaching.

Social Media Tips for International Coaching Week

Individuals

Explore the benefits of coaching by attending a free introductory session or webinar offered by a local coach. Reflect on your own growth goals.

Creators

Produce short-form videos or carousels explaining different coaching methodologies or interviewing a professional coach about their impact.

Brands

Host a virtual panel discussion featuring executive coaches, offer pro bono coaching sessions to employees, or highlight internal coaching success stories.

Partners & Brands for International Coaching Week

  1. International Coaching Federation (ICF)

    Founded in 1995, the ICF is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification, and building a worldwide network of trained coaching professionals. It boasts over 50,000 members across 150 countries.

  2. Coach U

    Established in 1992, Coach U is one of the oldest and most respected coach training organizations globally. It offers comprehensive training programs and has certified thousands of coaches, contributing significantly to the professionalization of the coaching industry.

  3. iPEC Coaching

    Founded in 1999, iPEC Coaching specializes in core energy coaching, a unique methodology that helps clients identify and shift their energetic responses to life's challenges. They offer ICF-accredited coach training programs and certifications.

  4. Coaches Training Institute (CTI)

    Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), founded in 1992, is renowned for its Co-Active coaching model, emphasizing the relationship between coach and client. It offers highly acclaimed, ICF-accredited coach training and leadership programs worldwide.

  5. BetterUp

    Founded in 2013, BetterUp is a leading mobile-first coaching platform that connects employees with personalized coaching, mentorship, and content. It serves numerous Fortune 500 companies, focusing on professional development and mental fitness.

  6. Noom

    Launched in 2008, Noom is a digital health platform that combines psychology-based coaching with technology to help users achieve sustainable weight loss and healthy habits. Its human coaching component is central to its success.

  7. Tony Robbins

    A world-renowned life and business strategist, Tony Robbins has coached millions of people, including presidents and CEOs, over four decades. His high-energy seminars and personal development programs have made him a global icon in the coaching and motivational speaking industry.

International Coaching Week Hero

Thomas Leonard

Often called the 'Father of Professional Coaching,' Thomas Leonard (1955-2003) was a pioneer who played a pivotal role in establishing coaching as a distinct profession. He founded Coach U in 1992 and the International Coaching Federation (ICF) in 1995, laying the groundwork for the industry's ethical standards and global growth. His vision transformed personal development into a structured, professional practice.

History of International Coaching Week

Jerri Udelson launched International Coaching Week in the year 1999 as a week-long celebration to promote the importance of working with a professionally accredited coach. It also celebrates the progress made through the process of coaching. Jerri Udelson is known as a “coaching pioneer and visionary.” She is among the first hundred people to hold the title of a Master Certified Coach, a designation given by the International Coaching Federation. 

International Coaching Week educates people about the value of working with a trained professional coach with expertise in the personal, executive, or business sector. It is also a great opportunity for coaches to demonstrate their skill set to their clients. 

During International Coaching Week, coaches around the world offer different kinds of pro bono services and activities in their local groups and communities to help people experience the benefits of coaching firsthand.

The International Coaching Federation (ICF) is the largest coaching organization in the world aimed at the global advancement of coaching. It fosters the role of coaches as a crucial part of a growing society. The federation was founded in 1995 and has more than 35,000 members located across 140+ countries and territories with the aim to enhance coaching awareness and uphold the integrity of coaching through continuous learning. The International Coaching Federation empowers coaches, clients, communities, organizations, and the world as a whole through coaching.

International Coaching Week timeline

1999
International Coaching Week

Jerri Udelson creates International Coaching Week to promote the profession and its importance.

2000
International Personal and Business Coaching Week

International Coaching Week is changed to International Personal and Business Coaching Week after Canadian coaches show their interest in participation.

2001
ICW Logo

Thomas Leonard, the founder of CoachVille, designs the ICW logo and creates a Coaching Week page on his website.

2002
Coaching Week Website

Thomas Leonard creates the Coaching Week website and invites coaches to post events.

International Coaching Week FAQs

When is International Coaching Week?

In 2026, International Coaching Week runs from Sunday, May 17, through Saturday, May 23, celebrating the global coaching profession. This annual event highlights the transformative power of coaching.

How large is the global coaching industry?

According to the 2023 ICF Global Coaching Study, the global coaching industry was estimated to be worth approximately $4.5 billion, with over 100,000 professional coaches worldwide. This figure continues to grow as more individuals and organizations recognize the value of coaching.

What are the benefits of professional coaching?

Professional coaching offers numerous benefits, including improved leadership skills, enhanced self-confidence, better work-life balance, and clearer goal achievement. Clients often report greater productivity and more fulfilling relationships. It’s a powerful tool for personal and professional development.

What is the difference between coaching and mentoring?

While both involve guidance, coaching is typically a short-term, goal-oriented process focused on specific skills or performance, with the coach facilitating the client’s self-discovery. Mentoring, conversely, is a long-term relationship where a more experienced mentor shares knowledge and advice to guide a mentee’s overall career development.

International Coaching Week Activities

  1. Share on social media

    Share resources and articles on your social media profiles. Find out what’s happening in your neighborhood and spread the word. Use the hashtag #InternationalCoachingWeek.

  2. Reach out via your organization

    If you are a coach, then reach out to more people via social media as well as personally. Tell your clients to spread the word and tell more people about it.

  3. Host an event

    Organize an event in your neighborhood to help people understand the importance of coaching. Invite a coach if you can so that the people can get a clearer insight into coaching.

5 Facts About Coaching That You Should Know

  1. The best qualities

    Coaching develops your strongest qualities and enables you to make use of these qualities for the benefit of yourself and your community.

  2. Improvement of relationships

    Coaching leads to an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect that serves as a fertile ground for productivity.

  3. Flexibility

    Coaching assists in flexibility and adapting to change, which is important in many of today’s business scenarios.

  4. Staff motivation

    Coaching helps people to grow their potential and self-esteem and improves their quality of work.

  5. Creativity

    Coaching encourages people to take creative steps, try new things, and make changes in their lives.

Why We Love International Coaching Week

  1. It creates a meaningful life

    It helps people to build a life that is worth getting out of bed for. It helps a person with clarity, courage, and commitment in life.

  2. It helps you overcome obstacles

    It helps a person partner with a compassionate coach who will help them discover how to live life to the fullest. It enables a person to be challenged in order to grow.

  3. It helps you discover who you are

    It allows a person to create a life aligned with their authentic self and core values. It increases a person’s self-awareness and pinpoints their blind spots.