diff --git a/style/main.scss b/style/main.scss
index 3872b25..5b1fb85 100644
--- a/style/main.scss
+++ b/style/main.scss
@@ -732,3 +732,16 @@ dialog .tab-content {
 	}
 
 }
+
+.dialog-modal:has(.cancel-game-button) {
+	display: flex;
+	flex-direction: row;
+	justify-content: flex-end;
+	margin-top: 1ch;
+}
+
+.scary {
+	color: red;
+	border: 1px solid red;
+	background-color: black;
+}
diff --git a/werewolves-proto/src/error.rs b/werewolves-proto/src/error.rs
index 8be8bd9..6a48fab 100644
--- a/werewolves-proto/src/error.rs
+++ b/werewolves-proto/src/error.rs
@@ -149,6 +149,10 @@ pub enum ServerError {
     InvalidRequest(String),
     #[error("you're already in an active game: {0}")]
     AlreadyInActiveGame(GameId),
+    #[error("not your game")]
+    NotYourGame,
+    #[error("this game is already over")]
+    GameAlreadyOver,
     #[error("{0}")]
     GameError(#[from] GameError),
 }
@@ -236,11 +240,11 @@ impl axum::response::IntoResponse for ServerError {
     fn into_response(self) -> axum::response::Response {
         use axum::{Json, http::StatusCode};
 
-        
-
         (
             match self {
-                ServerError::AlreadyInActiveGame(_)
+                ServerError::NotYourGame
+                | ServerError::GameAlreadyOver
+                | ServerError::AlreadyInActiveGame(_)
                 | ServerError::GameError(_)
                 | ServerError::InvalidCredentials
                 | ServerError::InvalidRequest(_)
diff --git a/werewolves-proto/src/message/host.rs b/werewolves-proto/src/message/host.rs
index 5b0259d..b26d063 100644
--- a/werewolves-proto/src/message/host.rs
+++ b/werewolves-proto/src/message/host.rs
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 
 use crate::{
     character::CharacterId,
-    error::GameError,
+    error::{GameError, ServerError},
     game::{GameOver, GameSettings, story::GameStory},
     message::{
         CharacterIdentity,
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ pub enum HostMessage {
     ForceRoleAckFor(CharacterId),
     PostGame(PostGameMessage),
     Echo(ServerToHostMessage),
+    CancelGame,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
@@ -107,7 +108,7 @@ pub enum ServerToHostMessage {
         settings: GameSettings,
         qr_mode: bool,
     },
-    Error(GameError),
+    Error(ServerError),
     GameOver(GameOver),
     WaitingForRoleRevealAcks {
         ackd: Box<[CharacterIdentity]>,
diff --git a/werewolves/src/app.rs b/werewolves/src/app.rs
index a2d7e3d..aa65cf1 100644
--- a/werewolves/src/app.rs
+++ b/werewolves/src/app.rs
@@ -56,18 +56,22 @@ pub fn shell(options: LeptosOptions) -> impl IntoView {
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, PartialEq, Eq, Deserialize)]
-pub struct TutorialSettings {
-    pub enabled: bool,
+pub struct Preferences {
+    pub tutorials_enabled: bool,
+    pub show_cancel_game: bool,
 }
 
-impl Default for TutorialSettings {
+impl Default for Preferences {
     fn default() -> Self {
-        Self { enabled: true }
+        Self {
+            tutorials_enabled: true,
+            show_cancel_game: true,
+        }
     }
 }
 
-impl Stored for TutorialSettings {
-    const STORAGE_KEY: &str = "tutorial-settings";
+impl Stored for Preferences {
+    const STORAGE_KEY: &str = "preferences";
 }
 
 #[component]
@@ -81,9 +85,9 @@ pub fn App() -> impl IntoView {
     Effect::new(move || auth_store.init_or_update());
     Effect::new(move || session_store.init_or_update());
 
-    let (tut_read, tut_write, _) =
-        use_local_storage::<TutorialSettings, JsonSerdeCodec>(TutorialSettings::STORAGE_KEY);
-    provide_context((tut_read, tut_write));
+    let (pref_read, pref_write, _) =
+        use_local_storage::<Preferences, JsonSerdeCodec>(Preferences::STORAGE_KEY);
+    provide_context((pref_read, pref_write));
 
     let is_logged_in = move || {
         auth_store
diff --git a/werewolves/src/app/components/sample.rs b/werewolves/src/app/components/sample.rs
index 60c214f..fe7d8ec 100644
--- a/werewolves/src/app/components/sample.rs
+++ b/werewolves/src/app/components/sample.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ use werewolves_proto::{
     player::PlayerId,
 };
 
-use crate::app::TutorialSettings;
+use crate::app::Preferences;
 
 pub trait Sample {
     fn sample() -> Self;
@@ -51,11 +51,10 @@ impl Sample for Identification {
 #[component]
 pub fn TutorialBox(children: Children) -> impl IntoView {
     let sample_hidden = RwSignal::new(false);
-    let (tut_read, _) =
-        expect_context::<(Signal<TutorialSettings>, WriteSignal<TutorialSettings>)>();
+    let (tut_read, _) = expect_context::<(Signal<Preferences>, WriteSignal<Preferences>)>();
 
     view! {
-        <div class="tutorial-box" hidden=move || !tut_read.read().enabled>
+        <div class="tutorial-box" hidden=move || !tut_read.read().tutorials_enabled>
             <button
                 class="hide"
                 hidden=move || sample_hidden.get()
diff --git a/werewolves/src/app/pages/game/host.rs b/werewolves/src/app/pages/game/host.rs
index ed258eb..1ce276e 100644
--- a/werewolves/src/app/pages/game/host.rs
+++ b/werewolves/src/app/pages/game/host.rs
@@ -11,6 +11,10 @@ use werewolves_proto::{
     },
 };
 
+#[cfg(feature = "hydrate")]
+use crate::ConsoleLogError;
+use crate::app::{Preferences, components::DialogModal};
+
 #[component]
 pub fn HostGamePage(
     message: Signal<Option<Srv2Host>>,
@@ -72,5 +76,42 @@ pub fn HostGamePage(
         }
     };
 
-    view! { {content} }
+    view! {
+        <CancelGame reply=reply />
+        {content}
+    }
+}
+
+#[component]
+fn CancelGame(reply: WriteSignal<Option<HostMessage>>) -> impl IntoView {
+    let open = RwSignal::new(false);
+    let prefs = expect_context::<(Signal<Preferences>, WriteSignal<Preferences>)>().0;
+    let cancel = move |_| {
+        open.set(false);
+        reply.set(Some(HostMessage::CancelGame));
+        #[cfg(feature = "hydrate")]
+        gloo::utils::window()
+            .location()
+            .replace("/")
+            .console_log_warn();
+    };
+    let content = move || match prefs.get().show_cancel_game {
+        true => view! {
+                <DialogModal
+                    button_class="cancel-game-button".into()
+                    text="cancel game".into()
+                    open=open
+                >
+                    <h1>"this will cancel the game. are you sure?"</h1>
+                    <button on:click=cancel class="scary">
+                        "i'm sure, cancel the game."
+                    </button>
+                </DialogModal>
+        }
+        .into_any(),
+        false => ().into_any(),
+    };
+    view! {
+        {content}
+    }
 }
diff --git a/werewolves/src/app/pages/game/player/lobby.rs b/werewolves/src/app/pages/game/player/lobby.rs
index 6a4e0f0..0945d0a 100644
--- a/werewolves/src/app/pages/game/player/lobby.rs
+++ b/werewolves/src/app/pages/game/player/lobby.rs
@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@ pub fn PlayerLobby(
                     number.set(Some(nz));
                 } else {
                     e.target().set_value(default.as_str());
-                    return;
                 }
             };
             let submit = move |ev: SubmitEvent| {
diff --git a/werewolves/src/app/pages/user_settings.rs b/werewolves/src/app/pages/user_settings.rs
index bc518c7..7fe79f6 100644
--- a/werewolves/src/app/pages/user_settings.rs
+++ b/werewolves/src/app/pages/user_settings.rs
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ use leptos::{ev::MouseEvent, prelude::*};
 use reactive_stores::Store;
 
 use crate::app::{
-    TutorialSettings,
+    Preferences,
     storage::user::{AuthContext, AuthContextStoreFields},
 };
 
@@ -18,14 +18,35 @@ pub fn UserSettings() -> impl IntoView {
         };
         view! { <button on:click=click>"log out"</button> }
     };
-    let (tut_read, tut_write) =
-        expect_context::<(Signal<TutorialSettings>, WriteSignal<TutorialSettings>)>();
-    let tutorial_toggle_button = move || {
-        match tut_read.read().enabled {
-        true => view! { <button on:click=move |_| tut_write.write().enabled = false>"disable tutorials"</button> }
+    let (prefs_read, prefs_write) =
+        expect_context::<(Signal<Preferences>, WriteSignal<Preferences>)>();
+    let tutorial_toggle_button = move || match prefs_read.read().tutorials_enabled {
+        true => view! {
+            <button on:click=move |_| {
+                prefs_write.write().tutorials_enabled = false;
+            }>"disable tutorials"</button>
+        }
+        .into_any(),
+        false => view! {
+            <button on:click=move |_| {
+                prefs_write.write().tutorials_enabled = true;
+            }>"enable tutorials"</button>
+        }
+        .into_any(),
+    };
+    let cancel_game_toggle_button = move || match prefs_read.read().show_cancel_game {
+        true => view! {
+            <button on:click=move |_| {
+                prefs_write.write().show_cancel_game = false;
+            }>"disable \"cancel game\" button"</button>
+        }
+        .into_any(),
+        false => view! {
+            <button on:click=move |_| {
+                prefs_write.write().show_cancel_game = true;
+            }>"enable \"cancel game\" button"</button>
+        }
         .into_any(),
-        false => view! { <button on:click=move |_| tut_write.write().enabled = true>"enable tutorials"</button> }.into_any(),
-    }
     };
     view! {
         <ul class="user-settings-list">
@@ -36,6 +57,7 @@ pub fn UserSettings() -> impl IntoView {
                 <ChangePasswordButton />
             </li>
             <li>{tutorial_toggle_button}</li>
+            <li>{cancel_game_toggle_button}</li>
             <li class="logout">{log_out}</li>
         </ul>
     }
diff --git a/werewolves/src/db/game.rs b/werewolves/src/db/game.rs
index 2b047a8..bb211d8 100644
--- a/werewolves/src/db/game.rs
+++ b/werewolves/src/db/game.rs
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ impl GameDatabase {
 			from
 				games
 			where
-				id = $1
+				id = $1 and game_status != 'Cancelled'::game_status
 		"#,
             game.into_uuid(),
         )
@@ -372,6 +372,32 @@ impl GameDatabase {
         Ok(())
     }
 
+    pub async fn cancel_game(&self, user: PlayerId, game_id: GameId) -> ServerResult<()> {
+        let game = self.get_game(game_id).await?;
+        if user != game.host {
+            return Err(ServerError::NotYourGame);
+        }
+        if matches!(game.game_state, GameRecordState::GameOver(_)) {
+            return Err(ServerError::GameAlreadyOver);
+        }
+
+        query!(
+            r#"
+			update
+				games
+			set
+				game_status = 'Cancelled'::game_status
+			where
+				id = $1"#,
+            game_id.into_uuid(),
+        )
+        .execute(&self.pool)
+        .await
+        .into_db_result()?;
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
     pub async fn get_dead_chat(&self, game_id: GameId) -> ServerResult<Box<[DeadChatMessage]>> {
         Ok(query!(
             r#"
diff --git a/werewolves/src/server/game.rs b/werewolves/src/server/game.rs
index 16318fb..f2bf0e3 100644
--- a/werewolves/src/server/game.rs
+++ b/werewolves/src/server/game.rs
@@ -13,9 +13,10 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
 // along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+use crate::db::Database;
 use crate::server::runner::{ClientUpdate, HostOrClientMessage, IdentifiedClientMessage};
-use werewolves_proto::game::GameId;
 use chrono::Utc;
+use werewolves_proto::game::GameId;
 use werewolves_proto::{
     error::GameError,
     game::{Game, GameOver},
@@ -32,11 +33,13 @@ pub struct GameRunner<'a> {
     game_id: GameId,
     game: &'a mut Game,
     roles_revealed: bool,
+    db: Database,
 }
 
 impl<'a> GameRunner<'a> {
-    pub fn new(game_id: GameId, game: &'a mut Game) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(game_id: GameId, game: &'a mut Game, db: Database) -> Self {
         Self {
+            db,
             game,
             game_id,
             roles_revealed: false,
@@ -136,6 +139,24 @@ impl<'a> GameRunner<'a> {
 
         let pre_time = self.game.village().time();
         let mut is_host_message = false;
+        if let HostMessage::CancelGame = &msg {
+            if let Err(err) = self
+                .db
+                .game()
+                .cancel_game(
+                    self.db.game().get_game(self.game_id).await.ok()?.host,
+                    self.game_id,
+                )
+                .await
+            {
+                super::send_host(self.game_id, ServerToHostMessage::Error(err)).await;
+                return None;
+            }
+            let game_id = self.game_id;
+            tokio::spawn(async move {
+                crate::server::delete_game(game_id).await;
+            });
+        }
         match self.host_message(msg) {
             Ok(ServerToHostMessage::DeadChatMessage(msg)) => {
                 super::send_host(self.game_id, ServerToHostMessage::DeadChatMessage(msg)).await;
@@ -145,7 +166,7 @@ impl<'a> GameRunner<'a> {
                 super::send_host(self.game_id, resp).await;
             }
             Err(err) => {
-                super::send_host(self.game_id, ServerToHostMessage::Error(err)).await;
+                super::send_host(self.game_id, ServerToHostMessage::Error(err.into())).await;
             }
         }
         let messages_for_host = self.game.dead_chats_since(start);
@@ -222,6 +243,12 @@ impl<'a> GameRunner<'a> {
                 Err(GameError::GameOngoing)
             }
             HostMessage::Echo(echo) => Ok(echo),
+            HostMessage::CancelGame => {
+                log::error!("CancelGame should be handled above");
+                Ok(ServerToHostMessage::Error(
+                    GameError::GenericError("CancelGame should be handled above".into()).into(),
+                ))
+            }
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/werewolves/src/server/lobby.rs b/werewolves/src/server/lobby.rs
index 55b4dc5..8b781a2 100644
--- a/werewolves/src/server/lobby.rs
+++ b/werewolves/src/server/lobby.rs
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ impl<'a> Lobby<'a> {
             | Ok(None) => None,
             Ok(Some(game)) => Some(game),
             Err((HostOrClientMessage::Host(_), ServerError::GameError(err))) => {
-                super::send_host(self.game_id, ServerToHostMessage::Error(err)).await;
+                super::send_host(self.game_id, ServerToHostMessage::Error(err.into())).await;
                 None
             }
             Err((HostOrClientMessage::Host(_), err)) => {
@@ -142,11 +142,7 @@ impl<'a> Lobby<'a> {
                     "server error from host request for game({}): {err}",
                     self.game_id
                 );
-                super::send_host(
-                    self.game_id,
-                    ServerToHostMessage::Error(GameError::GenericError(err.to_string())),
-                )
-                .await;
+                super::send_host(self.game_id, ServerToHostMessage::Error(err)).await;
                 None
             }
             Err((
@@ -183,6 +179,19 @@ impl<'a> Lobby<'a> {
         msg: HostOrClientMessage,
     ) -> Result<Option<GameRecord>, ServerError> {
         match msg {
+            HostOrClientMessage::Host(HostMessage::CancelGame) => {
+                self.db
+                    .game()
+                    .cancel_game(
+                        self.db.game().get_game(self.game_id).await?.host,
+                        self.game_id,
+                    )
+                    .await?;
+                let game_id = self.game_id;
+                tokio::spawn(async move {
+                    crate::server::delete_game(game_id).await;
+                });
+            }
             HostOrClientMessage::Client(IdentifiedClientMessage {
                 update: ClientUpdate::Message(ClientMessage::DeadChat(_)),
                 ..
diff --git a/werewolves/src/server/mod.rs b/werewolves/src/server/mod.rs
index ec77628..8af4f13 100644
--- a/werewolves/src/server/mod.rs
+++ b/werewolves/src/server/mod.rs
@@ -8,10 +8,7 @@ pub mod qr;
 pub mod role_reveal;
 pub mod runner;
 
-use core::{
-    fmt::Display,
-    hash::BuildHasherDefault,
-};
+use core::{fmt::Display, hash::BuildHasherDefault};
 use std::{
     collections::{HashMap, HashSet},
     hash::DefaultHasher,
@@ -382,3 +379,19 @@ pub async fn clear_abandoned_game_runners() {
         "[clear_abandoned_game_runners]".bold()
     )
 }
+
+pub async fn delete_game(game: GameId) {
+    let mut hosts = HOST_CHANNELS.write().await;
+    let mut players = PLAYER_CHANNELS.write().await;
+    if let Some(GameChannels { runner_handle, .. }) = hosts.remove(&game) {
+        runner_handle.abort();
+    }
+    let player_keys = players
+        .keys()
+        .filter(|(gid, _)| *gid == game)
+        .copied()
+        .collect::<Box<_>>();
+    for key in player_keys {
+        players.remove(&key);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/werewolves/src/server/runner.rs b/werewolves/src/server/runner.rs
index 54d4b83..55f6f82 100644
--- a/werewolves/src/server/runner.rs
+++ b/werewolves/src/server/runner.rs
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ async fn next_message(
     game_id: GameId,
     client_recv: &mut UnboundedReceiver<IdentifiedClientMessage>,
     host_recv: &mut UnboundedReceiver<HostMessage>,
+    db: &Database,
 ) -> Option<HostOrClientMessage> {
     tokio::select! {
         client_msg = client_recv.recv() => {
@@ -53,6 +54,11 @@ async fn next_message(
         }
         host_msg = host_recv.recv() => {
             match host_msg {
+                Some(HostMessage::CancelGame) => {
+                    cancel_game(game_id, db).await;
+                    log::info!("got game cancellation request for {game_id}");
+                    None
+                }
                 Some(msg) => Some(HostOrClientMessage::Host(msg)),
                 None => {
                     log::warn!("host recv for game {game_id} got None; exiting");
@@ -63,6 +69,21 @@ async fn next_message(
     }
 }
 
+async fn cancel_game(game_id: GameId, db: &Database) {
+    let game = match db.game().get_game(game_id).await {
+        Ok(g) => g,
+        Err(err) => {
+            log::error!("get game {game_id} for cancellation: {err}");
+            return;
+        }
+    };
+    if let Err(err) = db.game().cancel_game(game.host, game_id).await {
+        log::error!("error cancelling game: {err}");
+        return;
+    }
+    tokio::spawn(crate::server::delete_game(game_id));
+}
+
 async fn add_dummies(game_id: GameId, db: &Database, dummy_count: usize) {
     let Ok(joined) = db.game().get_joined_players(game_id).await else {
         return;
@@ -107,7 +128,7 @@ pub async fn run_game(
                     if let Some(new_record) = lobby
                         .process(
                             if let Some(msg) =
-                                next_message(game_id, &mut client_recv, &mut host_recv).await
+                                next_message(game_id, &mut client_recv, &mut host_recv, &db).await
                             {
                                 msg
                             } else {
@@ -133,7 +154,7 @@ pub async fn run_game(
                     if role_reveal
                         .process(
                             if let Some(msg) =
-                                next_message(game_id, &mut client_recv, &mut host_recv).await
+                                next_message(game_id, &mut client_recv, &mut host_recv, &db).await
                             {
                                 msg
                             } else {
@@ -152,13 +173,14 @@ pub async fn run_game(
                 }
             }
             GameRecordState::Started(mut current_game) => {
-                let mut runner = GameRunner::new(game_id, &mut current_game);
+                let mut runner = GameRunner::new(game_id, &mut current_game, db.clone());
                 loop {
                     if runner.game_over().is_some()
                         || runner
                             .process(
                                 if let Some(msg) =
-                                    next_message(game_id, &mut client_recv, &mut host_recv).await
+                                    next_message(game_id, &mut client_recv, &mut host_recv, &db)
+                                        .await
                                 {
                                     msg
                                 } else {
@@ -184,7 +206,7 @@ pub async fn run_game(
                     story
                         .process(
                             if let Some(msg) =
-                                next_message(game_id, &mut client_recv, &mut host_recv).await
+                                next_message(game_id, &mut client_recv, &mut host_recv, &db).await
                             {
                                 msg
                             } else {