Earnings Per Common Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2022	Sep. 26, 2021	Sep. 27, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
(Loss) income attributable to Lee Enterprises, Incorporated:	$ (2,017)	$ 22,745	$ (1,975)
Weighted average Common Stock (in shares)	5,946	5,873	5,811
Less non-vested restricted Common Stock (in shares)	(167)	(156)	(154)
Basic average Common Stock (in shares)	5,778	5,717	5,657
Dilutive stock options and restricted Common Stock (in shares)	0	109	37
Diluted average Common Stock (in shares)	5,778	5,826	5,694
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.35)	$ 3.98	$ (0.35)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.35)	$ 3.90	$ (0.35)