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			188,720		188,720
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 7	64,090			64,097
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	651
Non-cash stock compensation		60,197			60,197
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				58,251	58,251
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (10)		(284,333)		(284,343)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(990)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				(31,181)	(31,181)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(191,181)		(191,181)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests		1,517			1,517
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 1,095	2,711,934	(6,890,822)	(780,512)	(4,958,305)
BALANCE, Shares at Sep. 30, 2021	109,480
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
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			47,798		47,798
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 3	36,984			36,987
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	283
Non-cash stock compensation		17,410			17,410
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				9,898	9,898
Repurchase and retirement of common stock	$ (3)		(115,418)		(115,421)
Repurchase and retirement of common stock, Shares	(337)
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				(51,415)	(51,415)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(63,820)		(63,820)
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2021	$ 1,095	2,711,934	(6,890,822)	(780,512)	(4,958,305)
BALANCE, Shares at Sep. 30, 2021	109,480
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			358,150		$ 358,150
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 3	23,797			23,800
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	308
Non-cash stock compensation		75,566			75,566
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				162,491	162,491
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				(14,076)	(14,076)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(231,196)		(231,196)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests		(24,495)			(24,495)
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2022	$ 1,080	2,756,215	(7,508,231)	(613,894)	$ (5,364,830)
BALANCE, Shares at Sep. 30, 2022	107,964				107,964
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
Net income attributable to SBA Communications Corporation			100,009		100,009
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements	$ 1	13,221			13,222
Common stock issued in connection with equity awards and stock purchase plans, offset by the impact of net share settlements, Shares	92
Non-cash stock compensation		26,017			26,017
Adjustments related to interest rate swaps				53,336	53,336
Foreign currency translation adjustments attributable to SBA Communications Corporation				(40,757)	(40,757)
Dividends and dividend equivalents on common stock			(77,060)		(77,060)
Adjustment to redemption amount related to noncontrolling interests		(986)			(986)
BALANCE at Sep. 30, 2022	$ 1,080	$ 2,756,215	$ (7,508,231)	$ (613,894)	$ (5,364,830)
BALANCE, Shares at Sep. 30, 2022	107,964				107,964