UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 230,230	$ 105,731	$ 420,282	$ 354,974
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	110,809	(67,279)	(10,844)	(54,377)
Income tax benefit related to foreign currency translation adjustments	0	144	1,160	1,695
Net unrealized gains (losses) on hedging activities	194	(40,265)	(53,332)	(96,997)
Reclassification of net unrealized losses (gains) on hedging activities to interest expense	11,133	1,193	25,786	(1,530)
Income tax (expense) benefit related to hedging activities	(2,612)	9,289	6,677	23,800
Other, net of tax	(3,531)	37	(3,288)	165
Other comprehensive income (loss)	115,993	(96,881)	(33,841)	(127,244)
Comprehensive income	346,223	8,850	386,441	227,730
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(18,010)	(1,967)	(25,898)	(17,780)
Comprehensive income attributable to Global Payments	$ 328,213	$ 6,883	$ 360,543	$ 209,950