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Another racket sport is gaining popularity in New Jersey.

Following a steady stream of pickleball club openings across the state in recent years, facilities dedicated to padel are finding a home here.

A cross between tennis and squash, the sport is played in doubles on smaller, glass-walled courts. After originating in Mexico during the 1960s, padel was later brought to Spain, where it’s now the second most-played sport behind soccer.

Known for being easy, simple and fun, padel is an accessible game for players of all ages and abilities. Shakira, Enrique Iglesias, Lionel Messi, Andre Agassi, David Beckham, Gerard Butler, Serena Williams,  and Antonio Banderas are just a few of the well-known celebrities who frequently play it.

Over the past four years, padel has swept across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. It’s also gaining traction in the U.S., in states like New York, Florida, Texas and California.

Within New Jersey, the list of places to play includes And Padel in Oakland and Centercourt Club & Sports in Morristown.

Move over, pickleball

The state also now has the largest indoor padel facility in the Northeast.

Operating in a 36,000-square-foot former warehouse on Broadway in Cresskill, Padel United Sports Club features seven indoor courts, a café and retail shop. It also includes an 8,000-square-foot wellness and recovery area.

The facility was launched in July. Its partners are Benji Markoff and Jon Krieger, founder and CEO of Cure Cos., the venture development group behind Fat Choy in Englewood and Spring House in Tenafly. However, a spokesperson told NJBIZ that Cure Cos. is not involved with Padel United Sports Club.

“We opened Padel United Sports Club in early July and the interest level has been beyond our expectations,” said Benji Markoff, co-owner. “While many of the initial participants have been avid tennis players, we’re seeing expanded appeal to other racquet sport enthusiasts and general fitness fans, as well.”

“One of the biggest surprises we’ve noticed is the extent of our geographic reach. While located in Cresskill, we are attracting players well-beyond Bergen County including those coming from other areas of New Jersey in addition to residents of New York City and nearby regions like Rockland and Westchester counties,” he said.

Markoff added, “I think the ingredients to our success are the social aspect of padel and the strategic elements of the sport, plus our dedicated coaches that make it approachable and accessible to anyone willing to learn. We’re currently the largest padel facility [in the Northeast], but given the accelerated popularity of the sport, I certainly see the potential for additional Padel United facilities in the future.”

Editor’s note: This story was updated with corrected information from the company, including the facility size and offerings as well as the role of Cure Cos. A spokesperson also clarified that Padel United Sports Club is the largest in the Northeast, not the East Coast as previously stated in a quote.