Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Deficit - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Common Stock [Member] Class A Common Stock [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member]	Common Stock [Member] Class A Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member]	Accumulated Deficit [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member] Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net [Member]	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance [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 income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation						24,104				24,104
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements		$ 11		53,683						53,694
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares		1,113
Non-cash stock compensation				70,363						70,363
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps								(98,771)		(98,771)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock		$ (31)				(859,304)				(859,335)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares		(3,069)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation								(140,046)		(140,046)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock						(208,133)				(208,133)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests				749						749
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						237,624				237,624
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements		$ 10		14,744						14,754
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares		1,017
Non-cash stock compensation				85,779						85,779
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps								93,087		93,087
Repurchase and retirement of common stock		$ (19)				(582,559)				(582,578)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares		(1,880)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation								(47,814)		(47,814)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock						(254,568)				(254,568)
Contribution from partner for noncontrolling interest				(2,500)						(2,500)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests				(2,806)						(2,806)
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						461,429				$ 461,429
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements		$ 3		28,302						28,305
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares		341
Non-cash stock compensation				101,846						101,846
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps								167,423		167,423
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								4,376		4,376
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock						(308,305)				(308,305)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests				(16,319)						(16,319)
BALANCE at Dec. 31, 2022		$ 1,080		$ 2,795,176		$ (7,482,061)		$ (590,510)		$ (5,276,315)
BALANCE, Shares at Dec. 31, 2022		107,997								107,997