The 76-year-old crooner will sing the ballad Love Will Set You Free when he is expected to open the show at the Crystal Hall in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Among his rivals are Irish pop twins Jedward and a group of six Russian grannies called Buranovskiye Babushki, who will be dressed in traditional costumes and are hoping to raise money to build a church in their village.
Cheryl Baker, a former Eurovision winner with Bucks Fizz, told Sky News: "Engelbert is going to be brilliant. He's got a great voice and he can still hit those high notes, he's great.
"We're having a Eurovision party tonight so we'll be cheering him on."
Humperdinck - currently the 14/1 fifth favourite to win according to bookmaker William Hill - admitted to feeling nervous.
"The responsibility is pretty heavy duty, but I'm really really thrilled to be representing my country in this contest," he said.
"I'm nervous, I always get nervous in everything I do."
Britain has not won the contest since Katrina & The Waves sang Love Shine A Light in 1997.
Humperdinck, whose last Top 10 hit was 42 years ago, follows boy band Blue, who finished 11th last year.
His song marks a change in style from previous years when high energy pop songs have been favoured by the UK.
Humperdinck will sing a stripped-back version of the song, accompanied by only a guitar.
He will also carry a good luck token given to him by his friend Elvis Presley.
Humperdinck is one of a handful of people from Presley's inner circle who were given a TCB necklace - which stands for "taking care of business".
Meanwhile, Spain's singer, Pastora Soler, has said it would be best if she does not win, because her country would not be able to afford to stage the event next year.
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