Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Deficit - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member] Class A Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net [Member]	Total
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 1,210	$ 2,010,520	$ (3,637,467)	$ (370,184)	$ (1,995,921)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2016	121,004
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			103,654		103,654
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans	$ 8	54,798			54,806
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares	812
Non-cash stock compensation		38,844			38,844
Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions	$ 5	63,308			63,313
Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions, Shares	488
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (59)		(854,475)		(854,534)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(5,858)
Foreign currency translation adjustments				(9,276)	(9,276)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 1,164	2,167,470	(4,388,288)	(379,460)	(2,599,114)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2017	116,446
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			47,451		47,451
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans	$ 10	59,716			59,726
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares	962
Non-cash stock compensation		43,140			43,140
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (50)		(795,531)		(795,581)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(4,975)
Foreign currency translation adjustments				(132,445)	(132,445)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2018	$ 1,124	2,270,326	(5,136,368)	(511,905)	$ (3,376,823)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2018	112,433				112,433
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			146,991		$ 146,991
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans	$ 13	116,189			116,202
Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans, Shares	1,347
Non-cash stock compensation		74,270			74,270
Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions		1,680			1,680
Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions, Shares	10
Unrealized loss on interest rate swaps				(42,131)	(42,131)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (19)		(466,963)		(466,982)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(2,015)
Foreign currency translation adjustments				(14,729)	(14,729)
Payment of dividends on common stock			(83,387)		(83,387)
Adjustment to fair value related to noncontrolling interests		(1,130)			(1,130)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 1,118	$ 2,461,335	(5,560,695)	$ (568,765)	$ (3,667,007)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2019	111,775				111,775
Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 related to leases			$ (20,968)		$ (20,968)