diff --git a/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/LoadedMultiverseWorld.java b/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/LoadedMultiverseWorld.java
index ea285cbae..be209a3f3 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/LoadedMultiverseWorld.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/LoadedMultiverseWorld.java
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
 import org.bukkit.entity.Player;
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
 
-import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.config.CoreConfig;
+import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.MultiverseCore;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.teleportation.BlockSafety;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.teleportation.LocationManipulation;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.world.entity.EntityPurger;
@@ -22,6 +22,11 @@
 
 /**
  * Extension of {@link MultiverseWorld} that represents a world that is currently loaded with bukkit world object.
+ * <p>
+ * Do not store instances of this class for future use during runtime. Worlds can be unloaded, removed, reloaded,
+ * or regenerated, making stored instances stale. Instead, store a {@link MultiverseWorldRef} obtained from
+ * {@link #asRef()} and call {@link MultiverseWorldRef#getLoaded()} when a loaded world is needed. The reference
+ * returns an empty Option when the world is unloaded or no longer managed by Multiverse.
  */
 public final class LoadedMultiverseWorld extends MultiverseWorld {
 
@@ -34,16 +39,13 @@ public final class LoadedMultiverseWorld extends MultiverseWorld {
     LoadedMultiverseWorld(
             @NotNull World world,
             @NotNull WorldConfig worldConfig,
-            @NotNull CoreConfig config,
-            @NotNull BlockSafety blockSafety,
-            @NotNull LocationManipulation locationManipulation,
-            @NotNull EntityPurger entityPurger
-    ) {
-        super(worldConfig, config);
+            @NotNull MultiverseCore multiverseCore
+            ) {
+        super(worldConfig, multiverseCore);
         this.worldUid = world.getUID();
-        this.blockSafety = blockSafety;
-        this.locationManipulation = locationManipulation;
-        this.entityPurger = entityPurger;
+        this.blockSafety = multiverseCore.getServiceLocator().getService(BlockSafety.class);
+        this.locationManipulation = multiverseCore.getServiceLocator().getService(LocationManipulation.class);
+        this.entityPurger = multiverseCore.getServiceLocator().getService(EntityPurger.class);
 
         setupWorldConfig(world);
         setupSpawnLocation(world);
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/MultiverseWorld.java b/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/MultiverseWorld.java
index 81f7fe6f6..9f45817b2 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/MultiverseWorld.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/MultiverseWorld.java
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Nullable;
 
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.UnmodifiableView;
+import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.MultiverseCore;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.config.CoreConfig;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.config.handle.StringPropertyHandle;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.utils.text.ChatTextFormatter;
@@ -29,6 +30,11 @@
 
 /**
  * Represents a world handled by Multiverse which has all the custom properties provided by Multiverse.
+ * <p>
+ * Do not store instances of this class for future use during runtime. Worlds can be unloaded, removed, reloaded,
+ * or regenerated, making stored instances stale. Instead, store a {@link MultiverseWorldRef} obtained from
+ * {@link #asRef()} and retrieve the current world instance when needed. The reference returns an empty Option
+ * when the world is no longer available.
  */
 public sealed class MultiverseWorld permits LoadedMultiverseWorld {
     /**
@@ -37,11 +43,13 @@ public sealed class MultiverseWorld permits LoadedMultiverseWorld {
     WorldConfig worldConfig;
 
     protected final CoreConfig config;
+    private final WorldStore worldStore;
     private String colourlessAlias = "";
 
-    MultiverseWorld(WorldConfig worldConfig, CoreConfig config) {
+    MultiverseWorld(@NotNull WorldConfig worldConfig, @NotNull MultiverseCore multiverseCore) {
         this.worldConfig = worldConfig;
-        this.config = config;
+        this.config = multiverseCore.getServiceLocator().getService(CoreConfig.class);
+        this.worldStore = multiverseCore.getServiceLocator().getService(WorldStore.class);
         this.worldConfig.setMVWorld(this);
         updateColourlessAlias();
     }
@@ -125,6 +133,22 @@ public Option<LoadedMultiverseWorld> asLoadedWorld() {
                 .map(world -> (LoadedMultiverseWorld) world);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Creates a reference to this world's key for storing and retrieving the current world instance at runtime.
+     * <p>
+     * Store this reference when retaining a world across reloads or regeneration, which make stored
+     * {@link MultiverseWorld} and {@link LoadedMultiverseWorld} instances stale. Use {@link MultiverseWorldRef#get()}
+     * or {@link MultiverseWorldRef#getLoaded()} to retrieve the current instance when needed.
+     *
+     * @return A reference that looks up the current world instance using this world's key.
+     *
+     * @since 5.9
+     */
+    @ApiStatus.AvailableSince("5.9")
+    public MultiverseWorldRef asRef() {
+        return new MultiverseWorldRef(getKey(), worldStore);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Gets the properties handler of this world.
      *
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/MultiverseWorldRef.java b/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/MultiverseWorldRef.java
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e7761e4c5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/MultiverseWorldRef.java
@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+package org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.world;
+
+import io.vavr.control.Option;
+import org.bukkit.NamespacedKey;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.ApiStatus;
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
+
+/**
+ * A reference to a world by its key that can be stored and used to retrieve the current world instance at runtime.
+ * <p>
+ * Stored {@link MultiverseWorld} and {@link LoadedMultiverseWorld} instances become stale when a world is reloaded
+ * or regenerated. This reference looks up the world on each call to {@link #get()} or {@link #getLoaded()}, allowing
+ * callers to keep the reference across those operations and retrieve the current instance when needed.
+ * Store this reference rather than caching the world instances returned by its methods.
+ * <p>
+ * Obtain a reference using {@link MultiverseWorld#asRef()}. Resolving a reference does not load the world.
+ *
+ * @since 5.9
+ */
+@ApiStatus.AvailableSince("5.9")
+public class MultiverseWorldRef {
+
+    private final NamespacedKey worldKey;
+    private final WorldStore worldStore;
+
+    MultiverseWorldRef(@NotNull NamespacedKey worldKey, @NotNull WorldStore worldStore) {
+        this.worldKey = worldKey;
+        this.worldStore = worldStore;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets the current world instance for this reference's key, whether loaded or unloaded.
+     * The world is looked up on each call so the returned instance reflects reloads and regeneration.
+     *
+     * @return The current world instance wrapped in an Option, or None if the world is no longer managed by Multiverse.
+     *
+     * @since 5.9
+     */
+    @ApiStatus.AvailableSince("5.9")
+    public Option<MultiverseWorld> get() {
+        return worldStore.getWorld(worldKey);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Gets the current loaded world instance for this reference's key without loading the world.
+     * The world is looked up on each call so the returned instance reflects reloads and regeneration.
+     *
+     * @return The current loaded world instance wrapped in an Option, or None if the world is unloaded or no longer
+     *         managed by Multiverse.
+     *
+     * @since 5.9
+     */
+    @ApiStatus.AvailableSince("5.9")
+    public Option<LoadedMultiverseWorld> getLoaded() {
+        return worldStore.getLoadedWorld(worldKey);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldConfigNodes.java b/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldConfigNodes.java
index b31040a31..8a45c0670 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldConfigNodes.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldConfigNodes.java
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ final class WorldConfigNodes {
 
     private final NodeGroup nodes = new NodeGroup();
     private WorldManager worldManager;
+    private WorldStore worldStore;
     private EnforcementHandler enforcementHandler;
     private CoreConfig config;
     private AliasNameConflictChecker aliasNameConflictChecker;
@@ -52,6 +53,7 @@ final class WorldConfigNodes {
 
     WorldConfigNodes(@NotNull MultiverseCore multiverseCore, @NotNull WorldKeyOrName keyOrName) {
         this.worldManager = multiverseCore.getServiceLocator().getService(WorldManager.class);
+        this.worldStore = multiverseCore.getServiceLocator().getService(WorldStore.class);
         this.enforcementHandler = multiverseCore.getServiceLocator().getService(EnforcementHandler.class);
         this.config = multiverseCore.getServiceLocator().getService(CoreConfig.class);
         this.aliasNameConflictChecker = multiverseCore.getServiceLocator().getService(AliasNameConflictChecker.class);
@@ -100,7 +102,7 @@ private <T> ConfigNode<T> node(ConfigNode.Builder<T, ?> nodeBuilder) {
     final ConfigNode<String> alias = node(ConfigNode.builder("alias", String.class)
             .defaultValue("")
             .onLoadAndChange((sender, oldValue, newValue) -> {
-                worldManager.getWorldStore().changeAlias(
+                worldStore.changeAlias(
                         ChatTextFormatter.removeColor(oldValue),
                         ChatTextFormatter.removeColor(newValue),
                         keyOrName.usableKey()
diff --git a/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldManager.java b/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldManager.java
index b574a54a4..cebe7b9b2 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldManager.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldManager.java
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@
 import org.jetbrains.annotations.Unmodifiable;
 import org.jvnet.hk2.annotations.Service;
 
+import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.MultiverseCore;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.config.CoreConfig;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.event.world.MVWorldClonedEvent;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.event.world.MVWorldCreatedEvent;
@@ -45,8 +46,6 @@
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.locale.message.Message;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.locale.message.MessageReplacement.Replace;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.permissions.CorePermissions;
-import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.teleportation.BlockSafety;
-import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.teleportation.LocationManipulation;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.utils.ServerProperties;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.utils.compatibility.BukkitCompatibility;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.utils.compatibility.WorldCompatibility;
@@ -56,7 +55,6 @@
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.utils.FileUtils;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.utils.text.ChatTextFormatter;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.world.biomeprovider.BiomeProviderFactory;
-import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.world.entity.EntityPurger;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.world.generators.GeneratorProvider;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.world.helpers.DataStore.GameRulesStore;
 import org.mvplugins.multiverse.core.world.helpers.DataTransfer;
@@ -96,6 +94,7 @@ public final class WorldManager {
             "data/paper/metadata.dat"  // New papermc format for 26.1+
     );
 
+    private final MultiverseCore multiverseCore;
     private final WorldStore worldStore;
     private final List<String> unloadTracker;
     private final List<String> loadTracker;
@@ -104,44 +103,37 @@ public final class WorldManager {
     private final BiomeProviderFactory biomeProviderFactory;
     private final GeneratorProvider generatorProvider;
     private final FileUtils fileUtils;
-    private final BlockSafety blockSafety;
-    private final LocationManipulation locationManipulation;
     private final PluginManager pluginManager;
     private final CorePermissions corePermissions;
     private final ServerProperties serverProperties;
     private final CoreConfig config;
-    private final EntityPurger entityPurger;
     private final Provider<PotentialWorldFinder> potentialWorldFinder;
 
     @Inject
     WorldManager(
+            @NotNull MultiverseCore multiverseCore,
             @NotNull WorldStore worldStore,
             @NotNull WorldsConfigManager worldsConfigManager,
             @NotNull WorldNameChecker worldNameChecker,
             @NotNull BiomeProviderFactory biomeProviderFactory,
             @NotNull GeneratorProvider generatorProvider,
             @NotNull FileUtils fileUtils,
-            @NotNull BlockSafety blockSafety,
-            @NotNull LocationManipulation locationManipulation,
             @NotNull PluginManager pluginManager,
             @NotNull CorePermissions corePermissions,
             @NotNull ServerProperties serverProperties,
             @NotNull CoreConfig config,
-            @NotNull EntityPurger entityPurger,
             @NotNull Provider<PotentialWorldFinder> potentialWorldFinder) {
+        this.multiverseCore = multiverseCore;
         this.worldStore = worldStore;
         this.worldsConfigManager = worldsConfigManager;
         this.worldNameChecker = worldNameChecker;
         this.biomeProviderFactory = biomeProviderFactory;
         this.generatorProvider = generatorProvider;
         this.fileUtils = fileUtils;
-        this.blockSafety = blockSafety;
-        this.locationManipulation = locationManipulation;
         this.pluginManager = pluginManager;
         this.corePermissions = corePermissions;
         this.serverProperties = serverProperties;
         this.config = config;
-        this.entityPurger = entityPurger;
         this.potentialWorldFinder = potentialWorldFinder;
 
         this.unloadTracker = new ArrayList<>();
@@ -417,7 +409,7 @@ private Attempt<LoadedMultiverseWorld, ImportFailureReason> doImportBukkitWorld(
     }
 
     private MultiverseWorld newMultiverseWorld(WorldConfig worldConfig) {
-        MultiverseWorld mvWorld = new MultiverseWorld(worldConfig, config);
+        MultiverseWorld mvWorld = new MultiverseWorld(worldConfig, multiverseCore);
         worldStore.putUnloadedWorld(mvWorld);
         corePermissions.addWorldPermissions(mvWorld);
         return mvWorld;
@@ -456,10 +448,7 @@ private LoadedMultiverseWorld newLoadedMultiverseWorld(
         LoadedMultiverseWorld loadedWorld = new LoadedMultiverseWorld(
                 world,
                 worldConfig,
-                config,
-                blockSafety,
-                locationManipulation,
-                entityPurger
+                multiverseCore
         );
         worldStore.putLoadedWorld(loadedWorld);
         saveWorldsConfig();
@@ -592,10 +581,7 @@ private Attempt<LoadedMultiverseWorld, LoadFailureReason> newLoadedMultiverseWor
         LoadedMultiverseWorld loadedWorld = new LoadedMultiverseWorld(
                 bukkitWorld,
                 worldConfig,
-                config,
-                blockSafety,
-                locationManipulation,
-                entityPurger
+                multiverseCore
         );
         worldStore.putLoadedWorld(loadedWorld);
         saveWorldsConfig();
@@ -1278,10 +1264,6 @@ public Try<Void> saveWorldsConfig() {
                 });
     }
 
-    WorldStore getWorldStore() {
-        return worldStore;
-    }
-
     /**
      * A simple pair wrapper for convenience to pass both the world key or name and the options together between methods
      * when parsing world options.
diff --git a/src/test/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldManagerTest.kt b/src/test/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldManagerTest.kt
index 32edb3935..c3ef0ef24 100644
--- a/src/test/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldManagerTest.kt
+++ b/src/test/java/org/mvplugins/multiverse/core/world/WorldManagerTest.kt
@@ -49,6 +49,48 @@ class WorldManagerTest : TestWithMockBukkit() {
         assertNotNull(world2)
     }
 
+    @Test
+    fun `World reference follows unload and reload`() {
+        val ref = world2.asRef()
+        assertSame(world2, ref.get().get())
+        assertSame(world2, ref.getLoaded().get())
+
+        assertTrue(worldManager.unloadWorld(UnloadWorldOptions.world(world2)).isSuccess)
+        assertTrue(ref.getLoaded().isEmpty)
+        val unloaded = ref.get().get()
+        assertFalse(unloaded.isLoaded)
+        assertSame(worldManager.getWorld(world2.name).get(), unloaded)
+
+        val unloadedRef = unloaded.asRef()
+        assertTrue(worldManager.loadWorld(LoadWorldOptions.world(unloaded)).isSuccess)
+        val reloaded = worldManager.getLoadedWorld(world2.name).get()
+        assertNotSame(world2, reloaded)
+        assertSame(reloaded, ref.get().get())
+        assertSame(reloaded, ref.getLoaded().get())
+        assertSame(reloaded, unloadedRef.getLoaded().get())
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `World reference follows regeneration`() {
+        val ref = world2.asRef()
+        assertTrue(worldManager.regenWorld(RegenWorldOptions.world(world2).seed(4321L)).isSuccess)
+
+        val regenerated = ref.getLoaded().get()
+        assertNotSame(world2, regenerated)
+        assertSame(worldManager.getLoadedWorld(world2.name).get(), regenerated)
+        assertSame(regenerated, ref.get().get())
+        assertEquals(4321L, regenerated.seed)
+    }
+
+    @Test
+    fun `World reference is empty after removal`() {
+        val ref = world2.asRef()
+        assertTrue(worldManager.removeWorld(RemoveWorldOptions.world(world2)).isSuccess)
+
+        assertTrue(ref.get().isEmpty)
+        assertTrue(ref.getLoaded().isEmpty)
+    }
+
     @Test
     fun `Create world with custom options`() {
         assertTrue(worldManager.createWorld(