Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Retained Earnings [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Total
Balance at Sep. 29, 2019	$ (265,423)	$ 57	$ 255,996	$ (29,114)	$ (38,484)
Shares issued (redeemed)	0	1	(376)	0	(375)
(Loss) Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	5,320	0	0	0	5,320
Stock compensation	0	0	545	0	545
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	452	452
Deferred income taxes, net	0	0	0	(135)	(135)
Balance at Dec. 29, 2019	(260,103)	58	256,165	(28,797)	(32,677)
Balance at Sep. 29, 2019	(265,423)	57	255,996	(29,114)	(38,484)
(Loss) Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated					(46)
Balance at Mar. 29, 2020	(265,470)	58	256,235	(28,481)	(37,658)
Balance at Dec. 29, 2019	(260,103)	58	256,165	(28,797)	(32,677)
Shares issued (redeemed)	0	0	(199)	0	(199)
(Loss) Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	(5,367)	0	0	0	(5,367)
Stock compensation	0	0	269	0	269
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	451	451
Deferred income taxes, net	0	0	0	(135)	(135)
Balance at Mar. 29, 2020	(265,470)	58	256,235	(28,481)	(37,658)
Balance at Sep. 27, 2020	(268,529)	58	256,957	(20,050)	(31,564)
Shares issued (redeemed)	0	1	(55)	0	(54)
(Loss) Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	15,902	0	0	0	15,902
Stock compensation	0	0	220	0	220
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	1,347	1,347
Deferred income taxes, net	0	0	0	(205)	(205)
Balance at Dec. 27, 2020	(252,627)	59	257,122	(18,908)	(14,354)
Balance at Sep. 27, 2020	(268,529)	58	256,957	(20,050)	(31,564)
(Loss) Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated					14,768
Balance at Mar. 28, 2021	(253,761)	59	257,328	(18,430)	(14,804)
Balance at Dec. 27, 2020	(252,627)	59	257,122	(18,908)	(14,354)
Shares issued (redeemed)	0	0	(8)	0	(8)
(Loss) Income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated	(1,134)	0	0	0	(1,134)
Stock compensation	0	0	214	0	214
Other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0	0	682	682
Deferred income taxes, net	0	0	0	(204)	(204)
Balance at Mar. 28, 2021	$ (253,761)	$ 59	$ 257,328	$ (18,430)	$ (14,804)