It has been estimated that One Direction could make a staggering $1bn next year.

The British-Irish boyband's earning potential has never been in doubt, but it seems they could take things to the next level in 2014.

US website Business Inside have calculated that One Direction could top the $1bn mark after taking into account earnings from tours, records and merchandise. They said:

"The table stakes have been increased dramatically. And based on our back-of-the-envelope calculations, the hottest band on the planet could be the first billion dollar boy band when 2014 is in the books."

One major part of the money-making scheme is the band's 2014 world stadium tour, which is expected to rake in hundreds of millions.

As previously reported, Niall Horan's brother Greg recently stated that he thinks the singer won't be affected by vast amounts of cash. He said:

“I think he will cope well whatever happens. Niall doesn’t spend that much money or talk about money, it’s not a big thing in his life. Obviously it’s amazing if the band go on to make a billion in a year and I for one hope they do - but it will not change Niall, I know that much.”