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, Net [Member]	Total
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
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			140,922		140,922
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 4	27,106			27,110
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	368
Non-cash stock compensation		42,787			42,787
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				48,352	48,352
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (7)		(168,915)		(168,922)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(653)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				20,235	20,235
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(127,361)		(127,361)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests		1,517			1,517
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2021	$ 1,095	2,657,540	(6,759,382)	(738,995)	(4,839,742)
BALANCE, Shares at Jun. 30, 2021	109,534
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
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			152,669		152,669
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 2	25,093			25,095
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	203
Non-cash stock compensation		21,975			21,975
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				5,565	5,565
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				63,869	63,869
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(63,738)		(63,738)
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2021	$ 1,095	2,657,540	(6,759,382)	(738,995)	(4,839,742)
BALANCE, Shares at Jun. 30, 2021	109,534
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2021	$ 1,089	2,681,347	(7,203,531)	(762,309)	$ (5,283,404)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2021	108,956				108,956
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			258,140		$ 258,140
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 2	10,576			10,578
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	216
Non-cash stock compensation		49,549			49,549
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				109,155	109,155
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (12)		(431,654)		(431,666)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(1,300)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				26,681	26,681
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(154,135)		(154,135)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests		(23,509)			(23,509)
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2022	$ 1,079	2,717,963	(7,531,180)	(626,473)	$ (5,438,611)
BALANCE, Shares at Jun. 30, 2022	107,872				107,872
BALANCE at Mar. 31, 2022	$ 1,078	2,688,835	(7,523,696)	(591,364)	$ (5,425,147)
BALANCE, Shares at Mar. 31, 2022	107,806
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			69,516		69,516
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 1	9,010			9,011
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	66
Non-cash stock compensation		24,406			24,406
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				23,833	23,833
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				(58,942)	(58,942)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(77,000)		(77,000)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests		(4,288)			(4,288)
BALANCE at Jun. 30, 2022	$ 1,079	$ 2,717,963	$ (7,531,180)	$ (626,473)	$ (5,438,611)
BALANCE, Shares at Jun. 30, 2022	107,872				107,872