UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 39,444	$ 130,039	$ 190,050	$ 249,245
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	82,458	7,704	(121,653)	12,902
Income tax benefit (expense) related to foreign currency translation adjustments	154	1,517	1,160	1,551
Net unrealized losses on hedging activities	(5,630)	(42,222)	(53,526)	(56,731)
Reclassification of net unrealized losses (gains) on hedging activities to interest expense	9,982	(893)	14,653	(2,723)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to hedging activities	(1,057)	10,527	9,289	14,512
Other, net of tax	122	17	243	128
Other comprehensive income (loss)	86,029	(23,350)	(149,834)	(30,361)
Comprehensive income	125,473	106,689	40,216	218,884
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7,508)	(13,529)	(7,888)	(15,815)
Comprehensive income attributable to Global Payments	$ 117,965	$ 93,160	$ 32,328	$ 203,069