UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 150,608	$ 119,205
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(204,111)	5,196
Income tax benefit (expense) related to foreign currency translation adjustments	1,007	34
Net unrealized losses on hedging activities	(47,896)	(14,509)
Reclassification of net unrealized losses (gains) on hedging activities to interest expense	4,671	(1,830)
Income tax benefit related to hedging activities	10,346	3,985
Other, net of tax	121	111
Other comprehensive loss	(235,862)	(7,013)
Comprehensive (loss) income	(85,254)	112,192
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(380)	(2,284)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Global Payments	$ (85,634)	$ 109,908