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 [Member]	Total
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
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			(127,058)		(127,058)
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 6	(5,625)			(5,619)
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	621
Non-cash stock compensation		16,660			16,660
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				(103,240)	(103,240)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (8)		(203,322)		(203,330)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(837)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				(174,841)	(174,841)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(52,311)		(52,311)
Adjustment to fair value related to noncontrolling interests		(484)			(484)
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2020	$ 1,116	2,471,886	(5,943,386)	(846,846)	(4,317,230)
BALANCE, Shares at Mar. 31, 2020	111,559
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2020	$ 1,098	2,586,130	(6,604,028)	(807,582)	$ (4,824,382)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2020	109,819				109,819
Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			(11,745)		$ (11,745)
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 2	2,013			2,015
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	166
Non-cash stock compensation		20,812			20,812
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				42,787	42,787
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (7)		(168,916)		(168,923)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(654)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				(43,634)	(43,634)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(63,624)		(63,624)
Adjustment to fair value related to noncontrolling interests		1,517			1,517
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 1,093	$ 2,610,472	$ (6,848,313)	$ (808,429)	$ (5,045,177)
BALANCE, Shares at Mar. 31, 2021	109,331				109,331