diff --git a/src/netplay.rs b/src/netplay.rs
index dc56b20..28d3301 100644
--- a/src/netplay.rs
+++ b/src/netplay.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 use crate::device;
+use crate::savestates;
 use crate::ui;
 use sha2::digest::Digest;
 
@@ -200,6 +201,115 @@ pub fn receive_save(netplay: &mut Netplay, save_type: &str, save_data: &mut Vec<
     *save_data = message;
 }
 
+/// On-disk representation of a saved netplay session (host side).
+/// `state` holds the compressed savestate payload produced by
+/// `SavestateData::save_to_memory` (zip entries for device, saves,
+/// rdp_state and ra_state); the whole struct is postcard-encoded and
+/// stored zstd-compressed under a single entry inside the
+/// `.netplay-state` file.
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize)]
+pub struct NetplaySessionSave {
+    pub state: Vec<u8>,
+    /// GGRS frame the session was saved at, so a resume can restart here.
+    pub frame: i32,
+    pub input_delay: usize,
+    pub rom_hash: String,
+    pub players: usize,
+}
+
+const NETPLAY_STATE_ENTRY: &str = "netplay_state";
+
+/// Postcard-encode + compress a netplay session save into its on-disk form.
+pub fn encode_netplay_session(save: &NetplaySessionSave) -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
+    let data = postcard::to_stdvec(save).ok()?;
+    ui::storage::compress_file(&[(&data, NETPLAY_STATE_ENTRY)]).ok()
+}
+
+/// Decompress + decode a .netplay-state file back into its session save.
+/// Used by the tests today; a future resume feature consumes it.
+#[cfg_attr(not(test), allow(dead_code))]
+pub fn decode_netplay_session(file_data: &[u8]) -> Option<NetplaySessionSave> {
+    let data = ui::storage::decompress_file(file_data, NETPLAY_STATE_ENTRY).ok()?;
+    postcard::from_bytes(&data).ok()
+}
+
+fn write_atomic(path: &std::path::Path, data: &[u8]) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    let tmp_path = path.with_extension("netplay-state.tmp");
+    std::fs::write(&tmp_path, data)?;
+    std::fs::rename(&tmp_path, path)
+}
+
+/// Write a netplay session save to disk atomically (tmp + rename).
+pub fn write_netplay_session(
+    path: &std::path::Path,
+    save: &NetplaySessionSave,
+) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    let data = encode_netplay_session(save).ok_or_else(|| {
+        std::io::Error::new(
+            std::io::ErrorKind::InvalidData,
+            "failed to encode netplay session",
+        )
+    })?;
+    write_atomic(path, &data)
+}
+
+/// Host-side session save: capture the current emulator state together with
+/// the GGRS frame and session metadata into a `.netplay-state` file so the
+/// session can be resumed later. Only the host (player_number 0) can save;
+/// everyone else just gets an onscreen notice.
+pub fn save_netplay_session(device: &mut device::Device, path: &std::path::Path) {
+    let Some(netplay) = device.netplay.as_ref() else {
+        return;
+    };
+    if netplay.player_number != 0 {
+        ui::video::onscreen_message(
+            "Only the host can save the session",
+            ui::video::MESSAGE_LENGTH_MESSAGE_VERY_SHORT,
+        );
+        return;
+    }
+
+    let Some(state_data) = savestates::create_savestate_in_memory(device) else {
+        eprintln!("Error capturing netplay session state");
+        ui::video::onscreen_message(
+            "Failed to save netplay session",
+            ui::video::MESSAGE_LENGTH_MESSAGE_SHORT,
+        );
+        return;
+    };
+    let Some(state_zip) = state_data.save_to_memory() else {
+        eprintln!("Error serializing netplay session state");
+        ui::video::onscreen_message(
+            "Failed to save netplay session",
+            ui::video::MESSAGE_LENGTH_MESSAGE_SHORT,
+        );
+        return;
+    };
+
+    let netplay = device.netplay.as_ref().unwrap();
+    let save = NetplaySessionSave {
+        state: state_zip,
+        frame: netplay.session.current_frame(),
+        input_delay: netplay.input_delay,
+        rom_hash: device.ui.game_hash.clone(),
+        players: netplay.peers.len() + 1,
+    };
+
+    match write_netplay_session(path, &save) {
+        Ok(()) => ui::video::onscreen_message(
+            "Session saved — safe to quit",
+            ui::video::MESSAGE_LENGTH_MESSAGE_SHORT,
+        ),
+        Err(e) => {
+            eprintln!("Error writing netplay session: {e}");
+            ui::video::onscreen_message(
+                "Failed to save netplay session",
+                ui::video::MESSAGE_LENGTH_MESSAGE_SHORT,
+            );
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn send_input_delay(netplay: &mut Netplay, input_delay: usize) {
     if input_delay < 1 {
         return;
@@ -584,3 +694,48 @@ pub fn close(netplay: &mut Netplay) {
 
     let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&netplay.ice_config_path);
 }
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    fn test_save(frame: i32) -> NetplaySessionSave {
+        NetplaySessionSave {
+            state: (0..256u32).map(|i| (i.wrapping_mul(13) % 251) as u8).collect(),
+            frame,
+            input_delay: 2,
+            rom_hash: "12345678-90ABCDEF-C:45".to_string(),
+            players: 2,
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn netplay_session_roundtrips_through_compress_decompress() {
+        let save = test_save(123_456);
+        let encoded = encode_netplay_session(&save).expect("encode should succeed");
+        let decoded = decode_netplay_session(&encoded).expect("decode should succeed");
+        assert_eq!(decoded, save);
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn netplay_session_file_has_correct_metadata() {
+        static COUNTER: std::sync::atomic::AtomicU32 = std::sync::atomic::AtomicU32::new(0);
+        let save = test_save(4321);
+        let path = std::env::temp_dir().join(format!(
+            "gopher64-netplay-state-test-{}-{}.bin",
+            std::process::id(),
+            COUNTER.fetch_add(1, std::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed)
+        ));
+        write_netplay_session(&path, &save).expect("write should succeed");
+
+        let file_data = std::fs::read(&path).expect("file should exist on disk");
+        let parsed = decode_netplay_session(&file_data).expect("file should parse");
+        assert_eq!(parsed.frame, 4321);
+        assert_eq!(parsed.rom_hash, "12345678-90ABCDEF-C:45");
+        assert_eq!(parsed.input_delay, 2);
+        assert_eq!(parsed.players, 2);
+        assert_eq!(parsed, save);
+
+        let _ = std::fs::remove_file(&path);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/savestates.rs b/src/savestates.rs
index 21cf91f..52c01ae 100644
--- a/src/savestates.rs
+++ b/src/savestates.rs
@@ -88,6 +88,22 @@ pub struct SavestateData {
     ra_state: Vec<u8>,
 }
 
+impl SavestateData {
+    /// Serialize this savestate to the same compressed multi-entry format
+    /// used for on-disk savestates, without touching the disk.
+    pub fn save_to_memory(&self) -> Option<Vec<u8>> {
+        let device_data = postcard::to_stdvec(&self.device).ok()?;
+        let saves_data = postcard::to_stdvec(&self.saves).ok()?;
+        ui::storage::compress_file(&[
+            (&device_data, "device"),
+            (&saves_data, "saves"),
+            (&self.rdp_state, "rdp_state"),
+            (&self.ra_state, "ra_state"),
+        ])
+        .ok()
+    }
+}
+
 static DEVICE_CLONE: std::sync::LazyLock<tokio::sync::Mutex<Box<device::Device>>> =
     std::sync::LazyLock::new(|| tokio::sync::Mutex::new(device::Device::new(false)));
 
@@ -200,6 +216,29 @@ pub fn create_savestate(device: &mut device::Device, rewind: bool, rewind_frame:
     });
 }
 
+pub fn create_savestate_in_memory(device: &mut device::Device) -> Option<SavestateData> {
+    let mut rdp_state: Vec<u8> = vec![0; ui::video::state_size()];
+    ui::video::save_state(rdp_state.as_mut_ptr());
+
+    let mut ra_state: Vec<u8> = vec![0; retroachievements::state_size()];
+    retroachievements::save_state(ra_state.as_mut_ptr(), ra_state.len());
+
+    DEVICE_CLONE.blocking_lock().clone_state(device);
+    SAVES_CLONE
+        .blocking_lock()
+        .clone_from(&device.ui.storage.saves);
+
+    let mut clone = device::Device::new(false);
+    clone.clone_state(DEVICE_CLONE.blocking_lock().deref());
+
+    Some(SavestateData {
+        device: clone,
+        saves: SAVES_CLONE.blocking_lock().clone(),
+        rdp_state,
+        ra_state,
+    })
+}
+
 pub fn load_savestate(device: &mut device::Device, rewind: bool, rewind_frame: Option<i32>) {
     if retroachievements::get_hardcore() {
         ui::video::onscreen_message(
diff --git a/src/ui.rs b/src/ui.rs
index 7d97710..06fea06 100644
--- a/src/ui.rs
+++ b/src/ui.rs
@@ -73,6 +73,12 @@ unsafe impl Sync for Audio {}
 pub struct Input {
     pub keyboard_state: *const bool,
     pub controllers: [input::Controllers; 4],
+    /// Set on the rising edge of the netplay session-save hotkey; consumed
+    /// (and cleared) once per frame by `ui::video::check_callback`.
+    pub netplay_save_request: bool,
+    /// Previous polled state of the netplay session-save hotkey, used for
+    /// rising-edge detection so a held key issues a single save request.
+    pub netplay_save_key_prev: bool,
 }
 
 unsafe impl Send for Input {}
@@ -237,6 +243,8 @@ impl Ui {
                     },
                 ],
                 keyboard_state: std::ptr::null_mut(),
+                netplay_save_request: false,
+                netplay_save_key_prev: false,
             },
             storage: Storage {
                 save_state_slot: 0,
@@ -249,6 +257,7 @@ impl Ui {
                     sdcard_file_path: std::path::PathBuf::new(),
                     romsave_file_path: std::path::PathBuf::new(),
                     savestate_file_path: std::path::PathBuf::new(),
+                    netplay_state_file_path: std::path::PathBuf::new(),
                 },
                 saves: storage::Saves {
                     write_to_disk: true,
diff --git a/src/ui/config.rs b/src/ui/config.rs
index ccced72..1d1f9cb 100644
--- a/src/ui/config.rs
+++ b/src/ui/config.rs
@@ -64,6 +64,14 @@ pub struct Emulation {
     pub disable_expansion_pak: bool,
     pub usb: bool,
     pub rewind: bool,
+    /// SDL scancode for the netplay session save hotkey (default F7).
+    /// Configurable so it can be moved away from other hotkeys.
+    #[serde(default = "default_netplay_save_key")]
+    pub netplay_save_key: i32,
+}
+
+fn default_netplay_save_key() -> i32 {
+    i32::from(sdl3_sys::scancode::SDL_SCANCODE_F7)
 }
 
 #[derive(serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize)]
@@ -196,6 +204,7 @@ impl Config {
                 disable_expansion_pak: false,
                 usb: false,
                 rewind: false,
+                netplay_save_key: i32::from(sdl3_sys::scancode::SDL_SCANCODE_F7),
             },
             ui: Ui {
                 theme: 0,
diff --git a/src/ui/input.rs b/src/ui/input.rs
index 5cab30d..7c83391 100644
--- a/src/ui/input.rs
+++ b/src/ui/input.rs
@@ -419,6 +419,19 @@ fn handle_hotkeys(keys: u32, last_key_state: u32) {
 pub fn get(ui: &mut ui::Ui, channel: usize) -> InputData {
     handle_joystick_events(ui);
 
+    // Netplay session save hotkey (configurable; default F7). Edge-triggered
+    // so holding the key only issues one save request per key press. The
+    // request is consumed once per frame by `ui::video::check_callback`.
+    let netplay_save_key = ui.config.emulation.netplay_save_key;
+    if (0..512).contains(&netplay_save_key) {
+        // SDL_NUM_SCANCODES is 512 in SDL3
+        let pressed = unsafe { *ui.input.keyboard_state.offset(netplay_save_key as isize) };
+        if pressed && !ui.input.netplay_save_key_prev {
+            ui.input.netplay_save_request = true;
+        }
+        ui.input.netplay_save_key_prev = pressed;
+    }
+
     let profile_name = &ui.config.input.input_profile_binding[channel];
     let Some(profile) = ui.config.input.input_profiles.get(profile_name) else {
         eprintln!("Invalid profile name: {profile_name}");
diff --git a/src/ui/storage.rs b/src/ui/storage.rs
index 637e305..0da997f 100644
--- a/src/ui/storage.rs
+++ b/src/ui/storage.rs
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ pub struct Paths {
     pub sdcard_file_path: std::path::PathBuf,
     pub romsave_file_path: std::path::PathBuf,
     pub savestate_file_path: std::path::PathBuf,
+    pub netplay_state_file_path: std::path::PathBuf,
 }
 
 // the bool indicates whether the save has been written to
@@ -205,6 +206,16 @@ pub fn init(ui: &mut ui::Ui, rom: &[u8]) {
         "{}-{}.state{}",
         prefix, ui.game_hash, ui.storage.save_state_slot
     ));
+
+    // netplay session state lives next to the other state files
+    ui.storage
+        .paths
+        .netplay_state_file_path
+        .clone_from(&states_path);
+    ui.storage
+        .paths
+        .netplay_state_file_path
+        .push(format!("{}-{}.netplay-state", prefix, ui.game_hash));
 }
 
 pub fn load_saves(ui: &mut ui::Ui, netplay: &mut Option<netplay::Netplay>) {
diff --git a/src/ui/video.rs b/src/ui/video.rs
index dcfe08c..d369153 100644
--- a/src/ui/video.rs
+++ b/src/ui/video.rs
@@ -255,6 +255,14 @@ pub fn check_callback(device: &mut device::Device) -> (bool, bool) {
             netplay::send_input_delay(netplay, netplay.input_delay + 1);
         }
     }
+
+    if device.ui.input.netplay_save_request {
+        device.ui.input.netplay_save_request = false;
+        if device.netplay.is_some() {
+            let path = device.ui.storage.paths.netplay_state_file_path.clone();
+            netplay::save_netplay_session(device, &path);
+        }
+    }
     (speed_limiter_toggled, callback.paused)
 }